Aftermath
Oh don’t worry. The pic doesn’t signify anything sinister about my mental health. Just starting to process. No organized thoughts yet. That’ll take a while. Although I haven’t been fired or laid off before, I know how this kind of thing rolls. I mean I think I am STILL processing the deaths of my parents and brother years ago. One foot in front of the other and which foot goes first and what does it land on?
Daughters and I always text (a bit) in the morning. Two of us do NYT word puzzles, the other just texts stuff about whatever she is doing. We are NOT a family who is in CONSTANT CONTACT with each other. I know people who do that but that’s not how it rolls here and that’s a good thing.
Today, a question was something like, “What is moom doing today?” The answer? Going to the grokkery store! What else? I mean I am a moom and Thanksgiving is coming up and my refrigerator (and house, for that matter) is a mess and since I am not working (outside the home) any more, I need to get going. Being a moom, when I am not sure where next to put my foot, I go to the grokkery store! And so I did. I’ll be there again tomorrow and probably most of the rest of the days before Turkey Day and although I probably won’t PERSONALLY go to the grokkery store ON Turkey Day, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else ends up there. Hopefully not anyone who WORKS there. A couple people do.
November 20th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
One step forward at a time. You’ll figure out your path. I tried to keep busy and figure out some sort of schedule for myself. I was used to being in a routine that was gone. It was very unsettling.
November 21st, 2025 at 8:47 am
With Thanksgiving in the very near future, this is actually the perfect time of year for a sudden work change–although late June would have also been a good time with the lake cabin months ahead of you. Every retirement is different and sometimes it turns out not to be a full retirement. I now have two little jobs, both requiring me to be places other than home many days of the week and both requiring a little computer time at home. Both started as volunteer gigs. I’m not an extravert but I did learn about myself after major retirement that I need/like a little face time with other people working on a shared project. Emphasis on the word “little.”
It just occurred to me that you’re right next door to the Univ of MI. Since his major retirement my husband has been taking classes at our nearby Univ of MD. They’re very low cost for retirees and he doesn’t take them for credit so no exams or papers. He’s done a huge range of topics–from quantum physics to film studies to the history of science and technology. I’m looking forward to how you organize your next phase whatever it involves. AND I’m not suggesting that the next phase should be any more complicated that simply putting your feet up and enjoying life!
November 21st, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Well, you know what I think regarding the use of your time. Your fiber art is extraordinary, particularly your use of color. I still remember the walk on the beach oh so long ago when I first saw the makings of an art quilt spread out on a blanket on the beach!
November 21st, 2025 at 7:08 pm
Oh wow. This happened a few years ago to my good friend who managed a wholesale shade tree farm in Oregon, part of a huge umbrella of tree farms. She started there immediately after college and after 39 years, the owner terminated her employment so as to put in place his grandson in her position. She had been aiming to work until she was 100% on her SS and Medicare benefits, but they nicked that in the bud. At first she was devastated. She’d only ever had that job, and it was her life! She had to sign waivers that she wouldn’t sue in order to receive a fairly decent severance package. She was HURT, for quite a while, but she is now thoroughly enjoying retirement, able to do things she couldn’t for so long because she has TIME! It can take a bit of figuring out, but ultimately it’s all good.