Thinking of retirement…

Do I really want to retire? Yes, no, yes, maybe, I don’t know! For me retirement is not a chance to get away from something but a chance to do something different. I like my job a lot and have no desire to get away from it. I like working outside in many different places. I enjoy traveling and staying out of town one or two nights a week (mostly in Nashville). I cherish the contact with many co-workers both in Knoxville and Nashville.  And I must admit having a payday a couple of times a month is kind of nice.  But I want to do more fun things with my time and with my grandchildren while they are still available and I’m still able.

So, I think it may be time to give it up, move on, or hang up my boots as some say. Like I said, I like my job and after 47 years it has obviously become a big part of my life. But, my two oldest granddaughters, Tiffany and Kristen, will be 15 and 12 this summer and I have a desire to spend a lot of time with them doing fun things before it is too late. I want to take them hiking, camping, biking, swimming and do anything else they think will be fun and create some great memories. I want to have an impact on their lives. I may even teach them to drive! And even Ainsley (3) and Jake (2) will enjoy hanging out with Papaw and their two older cousins and going to Dollywood and Splash Country and eating hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts and drinking chocolate milk! So, if I can convince my wife that having me around a whole lot more won’t be too difficult on her and not having that thing called a “paycheck” arriving on a regular basis isn’t a sure sign of starvation, then, bring on retirement!!!