This morning, just after sunrise, I walked Gavin on a deserted beach road, through a cathedral of awakening trees.
When I got back to my teeny, tiny boathouse, I went for a long swim in the healing waters of Georgian Bay. (Full disclosure: nobody was around and so it was a skinny dip.)
Then, I sat on the deck with my tea and breakfast and read the journals of the poet May Sarton.
I helped my mom in her yard – we agreed that the hydrangeas I planted needed some compost and we made plans for a barbecue for our supper.
I talked to my partner who is in Ottawa and she told me she’s finished painting the damn closet that we’ve both been avoiding doing for six months and we made plans for my impending return home.
It was the first unofficial day of my retirement from teaching.
A few days ago I found out that a friend from university had died — she was a lovely soul, a dedicated teacher, a wife, a mom of three, a woman of incredible faith. I hadn’t seen her in years, and so the other day I googled her so that I could send her a message, get back in touch. If the pandemic has taught me nothing, it’s that I want to stay connected to the people who mean something to me.
But instead of finding her on Facebook, I found her obituary. It was filled with pictures of her life and I looked at every one of them, I watched her boys grow up into young men. She hadn’t changed a bit, she still had that infectious grin, those kind eyes.
There was an interview with her at the end of the obit, where she reflected on the 54 years of her life. The interviewer asked what she hoped for her husband and she said she hoped he would retire early, because a few extra dollars didn’t matter, what mattered was having more time.
Time matters more.
And so today I swam, I read poetry, I spent time with people I love, and I retired from teaching.
I’m not so naive as to think that every day of retirement will be like this one – but it was an awfully good start.
P.
P.S. Shoutout to the lovely man who answered the phone at the Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan offices and who, when I said I was submitting my application to retire, said to me, “Congratulations, Ms. Murphy!” I admit, I got a little weepy.
That was such a profound note. It moved me. Congratulations on your decision to retire from teaching. Wise move during these unpredictable times. You will not regret your decision. Now you’ll have so much more time to write your incredibly funny, yet, thoughtful stories and visit with family and close friends.
Thanks for the encouragement, Irene! I am looking forward to a whole new chapter…literally, because now I have so much more time to write!
Hello Patti
I hope this finds you and your mom well. Congratulations on your retirement. Did Covid help you make your decision. I wish you everything you hope for, relaxation, time with your partner and Gavin.
Enjoy the rest of your time by the healing waters of Georgian Bay, and hope we can all get back together with you when Covid-19 is over.
Keep writing!
irene
Irene! Thank you so much! Yes, Covid was the main factor in my decision as I did not feel it was safe to return to the classroom given the lack of protection for the kids and me and my colleagues. So, it wasn’t how I had hoped or planned, but I’m ready to dive into writing full time! I look forward to an in-person visit when we get to the other side of this pandemic! Be well!
And now you’ve got me crying. Patti! How wonderful for you! I offer you my heartfelt congratulations!
Aw, thanks, Kelly! I am thinking of you as you return to the classroom. Take very good care of yourself!
Congratulations Patti on your retirement! All the best as you turn to writing full time. The ‘healing waters’ of Georgian Bay is a great place to start. Stay safe.
Thanks so much, Penny! I am going to miss the kids, but I have to say, the idea of writing full time is pretty exciting…