For years many workers dream of the time when they can finally retire. They look forward to days off and the ability to schedule their own time and do things that can't be done when the responsibilities of a job must be met.
But sometimes those "golden days" are not what has been expected. Medical needs often curtail plans and activities. Bad health can come quickly and medical costs can be huge and unexpected.
Inflation can also wreck retirement planning. How do you buy necessities when they continue to cost more. Look at what has happened to the cost of meat, the cost of gasoline and the cost of heating your home. And don't forget taxes.
Retirement can also bring on depression. It can be hard to adjust to the lack of responsibility, missing friends at work, and a regular schedule. It can be hard to no longer be needed. And as we age, we find that our friends slowly die off. That can be hard to adjust to.
People should carefully plan for retirement before taking that big step.
But there is another serious problem with retirement – the retirement of those who provide us with needed services. And the older, and maybe the "needier" we become, the bigger this problem becomes.
Three weeks ago the specialist who treats my prostate cancer told me that he would be retiring in March. I see him four times a year and he doesn't know who will replace him.
This week my wife had to make an appointment with her longtime heart doctor. But he has also recently retired. She was able to schedule a new cardiologist. But it will be like starting all over.
But sometimes those "golden days" are not what has been expected. Medical needs often curtail plans and activities. Bad health can come quickly and medical costs can be huge and unexpected.
Inflation can also wreck retirement planning. How do you buy necessities when they continue to cost more. Look at what has happened to the cost of meat, the cost of gasoline and the cost of heating your home. And don't forget taxes.
Retirement can also bring on depression. It can be hard to adjust to the lack of responsibility, missing friends at work, and a regular schedule. It can be hard to no longer be needed. And as we age, we find that our friends slowly die off. That can be hard to adjust to.
People should carefully plan for retirement before taking that big step.
But there is another serious problem with retirement – the retirement of those who provide us with needed services. And the older, and maybe the "needier" we become, the bigger this problem becomes.
Three weeks ago the specialist who treats my prostate cancer told me that he would be retiring in March. I see him four times a year and he doesn't know who will replace him.
This week my wife had to make an appointment with her longtime heart doctor. But he has also recently retired. She was able to schedule a new cardiologist. But it will be like starting all over.
Recently we learned that our favorite physical therapist has retired. We already miss him. My wife's favorite doctor, her gi specialist for over 30 years is retiring. Her two female family physicians have left their practice and have not been replaced.
At the beginning of the pandemic we were shocked to learn that our dentist suddenly retired without any warning. He was a lifelong friend who did many favors for us with dental care. We have definitely felt the impact in our finances.
A number of years our favorite family doctor and an assistant who was our back-up doctor both retired and sold their practice. That adjustment was hard but was expected and suitable replacements were available at that time.
At the beginning of the pandemic we were shocked to learn that our dentist suddenly retired without any warning. He was a lifelong friend who did many favors for us with dental care. We have definitely felt the impact in our finances.
A number of years our favorite family doctor and an assistant who was our back-up doctor both retired and sold their practice. That adjustment was hard but was expected and suitable replacements were available at that time.
Then when doctors retire it is sometimes almost impossible to get an appointment with those left behind. I've been trying to get my annual visit with my heart doctor which is due in June. He's now so busy covering for recently retired doctors that he has no openings until September. But they can't give me one then since his Fall schedule is not yet set. They suggest calling weekly to see if he has any cancelations. Just don't have any heart problems in the meantime.
Now doctors aren't the only ones we've lost to retirement in recent years. I've also lost to retirement a barber, a pastor and a car mechanic as well as a plumber and a window washer to early deaths.
Now doctors aren't the only ones we've lost to retirement in recent years. I've also lost to retirement a barber, a pastor and a car mechanic as well as a plumber and a window washer to early deaths.
And I won't even talk about the dozen very close friends who have graduated to heaven during the past few years. They are really missed,
Retirement does have some good perks. I am enjoying it. But there are times that I do miss my students and the challenge and excitement of teaching. But I also know that physically I couldn't do it anymore. I now have trouble walking and need a cane or walker to get around. I also miss the friendships and relationships that are normally part of an active life.
Retirement does have some good perks. I am enjoying it. But there are times that I do miss my students and the challenge and excitement of teaching. But I also know that physically I couldn't do it anymore. I now have trouble walking and need a cane or walker to get around. I also miss the friendships and relationships that are normally part of an active life.
When you are retired and partially disabled it is easy to be forgotten. That is my biggest disappointment in retirement, but I am trying to accept it as the Lord's will for me. God has been very good to me and I know He always will be. I am so thankful that He will not retire or change. And He hasn't forgotten me.
