Tuesday, June 16, 2015

You know you're getting old when . . . .

For many years, I helped organize and host the "senior sisters luncheon" in our LDS stake.  It's an annual event for sisters 60+ to get together and share in the bonds of old age.  It was always a nice experience but not one that I hoped for or planned for.

  • A week or so ago, I received an invitation to the annual event.  Me? What? A senior sister? 

A few weeks ago, Karl and I attended the very well-organized and impressive "Spartan Station Pre-School" program where we enjoyed a patriotic themed event complete with little toddlers reciting, memorized lines of the Declaration of Independence and quotes of famous Americans. 

  • A video of the children came at the end of the program where one of many background songs was a Beatles classic:
 
When I'm Sixty-Four
 
When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
 
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me
Will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?
 
You'll be older too
And if you say the word
I could stay with you
I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings, go for a ride
 
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me
Will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?

Many of my generation in the world of work are retiring.  My dear friend and colleague, Leigh Ann, retired a couple of years ago.  This month, more of my close work friends are calling it quits.  Retirement is just not one of my goals or plans for the future.  I love my work and I hope it continues to be valued and important.
  • On Wednesday, I am scheduled to attend my first-ever retirement meeting - and all-day event to tell me all of the intricate details of retirement planning in the Utah State Retirement System.

This list can go on and on . . . . .
 
I don't consider myself old - I am just 30 with 30 years of experience!! Ho hum . . . .