As we wrap up the year, the the most common question asked of me during the last 12 months was, “How’s retirement?” I suppose that’s a polite greeting when one first steps away from work because of age.
My standard response is, “Well, I was really good at work, but really bad at retirement.”
I’m joking, but there is an element of truth to it.
The fact is, I’ve been really busy since I stepped away from my full-time responsibilities with MetroNews and WVRC Media last January. Some days, I’m busier than I had planned, but for me that’s better than having too much time on my hands.
I’m still writing commentaries for MetroNews, although one a week instead of one very day, and making weekly appearances on Talkline and occasionally on MetroNews Midday. I join Tony Caridi and Brad Howe twice a week on the 3 Guys podcast, but that’s more like a fun get together than work.
WVU Medicine hired me on a part-time basis for some media-related work. I enjoy that immensely because I meet and frequently interview impressive medical professionals who are committed to making a difference in the health of West Virginians.
I’m serving on the board of the Stubblefield Institute at Shepherd University which is committed to trying to foster more civil and respectful debate, especially in politics, which is near and dear to my heart.
So, I tell people I’m semi-retired, and I think that’s accurate.
And it’s all good. I am involved in ventures that interest me and make me feel as though I am keeping my skills sharp as I approach my 71st birthday.
The last year has gone quickly. I did not get time to do some of the things I thought I would do like clean out the garage, try to learn a musical instrument, read more books, exercise more regularly and return to my hobby of making Adirondack chairs.
I have some regrets about that, but it also makes me think about my long-time mentor, Dale Miller, often said about his work in media: “My vocation is also my avocation.” That’s a healthy way for me to approach retirement since I can remain involved in media without the constant pressure of daily, sometimes hourly deadlines.
Then the question is whether I am happier now than when I was working. I answer that this way: The removal of those deadline pressures and the obligation to produce a daily two-hour show and a daily commentary have sanded off an ever-present emotional edge. The freedom is gradually allowing me to become, or return to, what I believe is my true self, which is a more laid-back individual.
Rather than being pre-occupied with what has to be done in the next minute or the next hour, I have more time allow the feelings of gratitude and empathy to surface. There are more opportunities to nurture my marriage and friendships. I tell more people that I love them.
I confess that the additional time has me thinking more about death. I suppose it’s natural for many that at a certain age you focus more on the question, “How many years do I have left?” Or more accurately, “How many years of good health are remaining?” I’ve been luck so far.
So, here I go into year two of semi-retirement with no regrets about my decision to slow down—some—take a breath and look around. Someone said, “Retirement is not the end of the road. It’s the beginning of the open highway.”
I’ll see you down the road in 2026.