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I never thought I would see the day when I would admit to being a senior citizen, even though we have qualified for the discounts for several years now.  Most of all, I never foresaw the day when I would consider us “retired.” Actually, Ron works from home and is not retired, but our lifestyle fits that description more and more. So what does that look like?
Mostly it is a matter of expendable time. We can decide each day what we want to do, or whether we want to do anything at all. The surprising thing for me is that I, who never liked routine, have settled into a rather predictable round of activities.
Ron has a routine, or schedule I should say, of bike riding, running and swimming in preparation for local triathlons. He is faithful to his schedule no matter what else is going on. He also teaches our home schooled grandsons Math (Calculus and Algebra) and volunteers to teach a high school Physics class for home schooled teens. Earlier in our lives he earned a PhD in Atomic Physics, so these are subjects he enjoys.
I enjoy having our teenage grandsons in our home three times a week, helping themselves to a drink or snack in Nana’s kitchen and even mowing our lawn. Ron’s ministry at church is to help in the high school youth group and disciple a group of boys on Sunday evenings. Another volunteer activity, for him, is reading papers submitted for publication in regard to Creation science research.
As always, my life activities revolve around his, and also the many family gatherings for our clan of 23 persons. I am a spectator at Triathlons, graduations, birthday parties, Easter egg hunts, etc. and hostess for most of the holidays. With 13 grandchildren, 10 of which are under 7, I do my share of babysitting.
But back to what I originally wanted to write about - my own thoughts about this stage of life. Obviously it is hard to separate my thoughts about me from my thoughts about everyone else. It’s a habit I’ve formed after 44 years of marriage, 41 as a parent and 18 as a grandparent. I am not complaining about this – it’s just a fact.
But there does come a time, (sometimes in the middle of the night) when I ask myself what I want to be when I grow up. This morning, during my devotions was one of those times. Just what do I want to do this summer, the next year, five years – the rest of my life? I am going to spend some time this afternoon thinking on this – but for now, Ron and I are going out for our bi-weekly trip to the grocery store. 
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Posted by sharetheword on 2008-05-24 15:21:50 | Rating: | Views: 69
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God Bless you Nana, Lets us know what you want to be when you growup.
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Posted by shellyme
on 2008-05-24 21:03:44
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I've heard of the idea of Grandmas Kitchen. Sweet grand parents all loving and full of care. I only knew this kind of granny for a very short while. It was hard to know that my own grand parents didn't want to be that kind of people but this woman was willing to be that for everyone.
I have grand parent only on one side. My dad's parents were dead before I was born and by the time he was 5 (he was raised by a sister). My mothers parents were just never these type of grandparents. When I was 15 or so I met my friends grand mother. She insisted we all call her "granny". She was a sweety! She passed away 3 years ago. Back when I was a teen we would all stay with her. She never had much in her kitchen but was willing to try and cook us something. We all pretended not to be hungry because we knew she needed her little bit of food. God rest her soul! The first "granny" I ever knew.
Your children and grand children are very blessed to have you!
As far as what to do with life at this stage I say just live it as best you can and pass all that love and all the life lessons the two of you have. Your precious people to care about the youth. So many have given up on the youth I think. God bless you both!
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Posted by anotherdaze
on 2008-05-26 08:23:43
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This past year one of our teenage grandsons wrote a paper about Ron and I for his composition class and my daughter e-mailed it to us. It was amazing the details he had observed about us. It made me realize how important it is to finish well. We have 13 sets of eyes and ears watching and listening to us - how we relate to each other and to them.
Sometimes grandparents feel like they are on the outside looking in to the busy lives of their children and grandchildren. But I think we need to be aware of how much our caring means to them.
Thank you for commenting anotherdaze, I wish you a wonderful Memorial Day.
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Posted by sharetheword
on 2008-05-26 10:24:31
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Thank you Shellyme, I am still thinking on it. :) Actually I think it's more about what God wants me to be (and do).
I think it is pretty clear He has led me to write my devotional book and post online - a new experience for me.
I think also this summer I will try to help a son and daughter in law with two little children who just took in her parents to live with them.
The "stuff" of two families is overwhelming and her mother is in ill health. So I thought I might set aside two days a week to help them get organized.
In June we will go to New Hampshire for my nephew's wedding. Those are my summer goals so far.
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Posted by sharetheword
on 2008-05-26 10:37:41
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