Dear Reader:

Besides retirement meaning “No more Sunday Slumps or Monday Melancholies ” it also lends itself to a new expression from us retirees that takes awhile to adjust to…we even surprise ourselves when we first utter the words “Oh no hurry…take your time…I’m not going anywhere.”

We might be standing in line at the post office, or grocery store, or pharmacy and everyone else looks like they are about to jump out of their skin while we patiently wait because we have no place that we just have to be ….at a certain time. Who knew a life like this existed beyond the veiled curtain of rushing, pushing, speeding, hustling, forcing, darting and sighing…lots and lots of impatient sighing?

These days when I look around and see an anguished expression of desperation on someone’s face in line and realize that man or woman is probably running late getting back from a lunch break from work…I find myself tapping the person on the shoulder and telling whoever to take my place in line….”I don’t have to be at any specific place right now…and it looks like you do…here, come take my place.”

I am rewarded with the biggest sigh of relief and usually an explanation from the person on the “rat trap” of time he/she has found him/herself in and must get back. It is one of the most rewarding parts of retirement…giving others a brief but crucial gift of time…at just the right time.

…And you know what…it does give me a “rush”…a different kind of “rush” (exhilaration) when I am able to do this. A “rush” that has taken a life-time of work to accomplish- concluding in  a “wait no worry state.” Time is the best present we can give someone in this hurried/burried society.

Right now I am in no hurry for hot weather to come….I want spring to last and last so I can enjoy Summerville’s mind-boggling beautiful azaleas for as long as possible. Everywhere I go these days around town…I just want to slow down the growth of each bush and bloom.

Each morning when I wake up and walk around my own yard filled with azaleas of every color I just want to pinch myself with happiness….how did I come to deserve this place, this beauty? Like the song sung by Julie Andrews that says… (The Sound of Music)…”Somewhere in my youth or childhood…I must have done something good” …I reckon I must have. 

How in the world did I end up from Fayetteville, NC to Laurens, SC to Summerville, SC …the most beautiful “Flower Town in the Pines”? Of course I know the answer…God lead me and He couldn’t have picked a more beautiful place outside His own garden to place me in.

So these days…don’t ask me to rush…I only get a “rush” when I don’t have to (well) rush! Let me have the opportunity to help you not rush…a gift from one who has been there, who knows and understands your hectic life, and who wants to give you a temporary reprieve from your hustle and bustle.

So until tomorrow…maybe some day we will meet in line…and you will be the recipient of my gift of time. Time should be shared between those who have it and those who don’t. And one day time won’t be an issue at all for any of us…at least for an eternity.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Honey mentioned a moving “connection” story that happened at the MS Challenge Walk.

Becky, you know one of my words for this year is HOPE. As we boarded the bus to return to Tybee after finishing our first day, there was a lady with visible signs of MS on it. She had not been able to walk very much of the route and now appeared confused.

We sat next to her and began talking. We assured her not to worry we would help her get to her room. She thought she was in one tower, but no it was the next one. Trying to make her feel better I commented on her pretty bracelet. She said “Yes, it is full of hope…HOPE charms.” I told her I felt Hope was one of the most important things in our life and that was the name of my team for the past 11 years. 

…Fast forward to the next day. The woman was helping at a rest stop, since she was unable to walk. She recognized me and called me over, thanked us for helping, took her bracelet off and gave it to me. Yes…the tears did flow. Connections!

*Honey’s word might be HOPE but what she was doing to help connect with her new friend in need was LISTEN. And Honey is the best listener…her latest plaque to me about my chosen word.

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