and so it goes...

retirement. That's the way God planned it. I never thought I'd be so busy ! Sometimes, I wonder how I ever had time to work.  I lie awake at night, (a bad habit, another column,) and think of the next day's schedule. I cannot believe, that much like when I was working, I long for a down day. But at this stage, early in my retirement, it's not to be - I have a lot of unfinished/new business to attend to.


It's all important, it's all noteworthy, at least in my book. But it runs like a litany ~ it's all timed, fercrissake ! 


Of course, my top priority are my kids. That hasn't changed, but their needs have. They no longer have papers due, they have 'meetings.' So I must be there for child care. My pleasure, no doubt. But I have to plan my own activities accordingly. Mundane things, but vital...Dr's app'ts, license renewal, flu shot, mass, fercrissake (literally!)


But to get back to the way God plans it - a very important person in my life once shared her theory with me. Interesting, because it has to do with God's plan, and she is not in the least bit spiritual. She said that there's a reason for menopause and there's a reason for timelines. I believe her, and I am spiritual. In the 'Word according to Deb,' our children leave for college at exactly the time they are getting on our last nerves. We are annoyed, fed up and heartsick all at the same time, the time to let go. So true !


Another of her reasons for menopause: (I buy into this one, too, big time-) just at the age our grandkids come along, we're too tired to be a full time parent. We can love and adore them and be ready for them to leave, just in time, just when we've expended our energies.


Menopause, as they say, has the prefix 'men' and the root word, 'pause' which is fitting, at our age. I'm too tired and not interested in anything but the occasional cuddle. As a clinician, I know the guys are in the same place we are. You know you're really old when your drug of choice is...Viagra.


                                     "Man plans; God laughs"