For 22 years I have been singing a song to signal clean up time.
"Tick tock, the clock says it's time to clean up all the toys."
The clock is telling me that it is time to clean up the toys once and for all and retire.
This was not an easy choice.
I have felt for a few years that I wouldn't see what was down the road until I took a step of faith and closed the door on my current situation.
Taking steps of faith when the path isn't visible is not my forte.
I had to be at peace with the idea that teaching was no longer my profession.
I was called to teach. It was strange to feel that I was being called away.
I will miss my sweet students, parents, and co-workers.
They will forever be a part of my heart.
The precious impact that teaching has on those little lives won't be easily replaced.
I know that it is silly but I felt I needed to be brave to make this change.
My rational mind knows that we are fine with Bill's income but part of me wants to hang onto the false security blanket that my little income provided.
God has always taken care of us. He will in the future.
I don't know what the future holds.
I can't wait to see.
Have a blessed Friday!
Katie
Katie,
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you!! The day i can retire, I will be dancing all the way home!! I can't wait to retire. Joe retired in September and we have worked with a financial planner , preparing for both our retirements.
I did a series of posts on Early Retirement and what we learned, If interested, they are all posted on my Side Bar....
Hugs,
Deb
Katie,
ReplyDeleteThe road ahead... no one can see it for there are forks beyond the horizon. After retirement, you will wonder how you had time to work. Freedom to choose every day how you will spend that day... without a tick-tock or bell dictating what to do next.
Happy retirement, friend. You will love it.
Judith
I retired from teaching in 2010, after 35 years in the classroom. I loved teaching, and I still dream about it sometimes, but it has been wonderful to be retired. Enjoy this time. The one thing that I would advise you to do is to not rush into doing lots of activities. Take your time and only do what really "calls" to you.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I remember the feeling. I envy you that you will be going through it soon. It has been about 9 years for me and I have settled into it very well as you will also. It never is as fun, though, as that first day!..Happy Days..Judy
ReplyDeleteWe had a coworker of ours retired the other day. He was quite happy about it though. He counted the days even last year
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
ReplyDeleteI will be taking on a new adventure this 2017 as well. I will be sharing about it on The River in March. I am praying for wisdom and guidance, I know I can not do it alone.
I will be praying for you. Enjoy this special time for you and your family.
Carla
Katie, it's a big step when you've given of yourself to this profession all these years, but I predict you will find yourself easing into a new norm easily. I taught for 30 years and now find myself retired almost two thirds of that time. Seems impossible, but as Judith remarked, you find yourself wondering how you had time to teach. Ha! The life of a teacher is very restricted with schedules and constant responsibility for the charges in their classrooms. Retirement on the other hand is very liberating. Just think - sleeping in when you want, lunch out, time with adults, no lesson plans, . . . It's an amazing world out there, Katie! '-) Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Katie ... retirement will be fun because you are so talented and you will continue "teaching" others through your blog. Maybe you will even write a book.
ReplyDeleteGood luck,
Hugs,
Audrey Z.
Congratulations, Katie! I know how hard it is to make the decision to leave your career - been there, done that! It's funny, but you just know when it's time. I've got a feeling that your next chapter will be an exciting one!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on retiring Katie. You and all others that find teaching their calling are my hero's. The patience, love and strength it takes to shape the minds of all our futures is a real work of the heart. With how things are changing with youth it takes really special people to teach them and send them in the right direction. Thank you for taking that challenge of becoming a teacher and sharing your heart and talents. You deserve this new chapter in your life. Good luck and I know your students, parents and coworkers will miss you.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Congratulations on taking the first step to a new adventure, Katie! Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you and enjoy the journey of retirement.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! If you feel unmotivated with your job these days, then it's probably time. My husband retired from the fire dept. last Spring. He found another job to occupy his time though since he's so young. He receives a pension and still has health benefits so it's all good. His job was taking a toll on his health so that was the ultimate deciding factor. I think there will be an adjustment for you but once you get over that, you'll love it. I'm sure you won't miss getting up so early!
ReplyDeleteKatie, I wish you the very best as you navigate this next phase of your life. It's a wonderful feeling to wake up and know you can whatever you please! It's kinda weird, too, that once retired, you start feeling 'busy' when you have an appointment or two in a given week. You'll wonder how you ever did all you did do before, but will be happy you no longer have to. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteRita C at Panoply
Congratulations. You'll love it. Just think of it as summer break. Didn't you have plenty to do all summer? Yes, you did and you'll find you don't know how you worked.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Katie, I'm excited for you and a firm believer that when one door closes another opens. I'm wishing you wonderful beginnings, change is good. I've learned that in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to be joining your link party this week, I'm a new follower.
xo
Leslie