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Retirement, aka rephasing or redirection

by KERRI THORESON/Main Street
| May 19, 2021 1:00 AM

In our grandparents' and parents’ era, working people looked forward to the magic age of retirement … get the gold watch, pick up a fishing pole or head to the front porch rocking chair. Many companies politely ushered employees of a certain age out the door to pasture.

In recent days, likely prompted by my 69th birthday, I’ve been asked about my plans to retire often enough for me to notice. My response is I’ll know when I’m no longer finding enjoyment or contributing something of value in the workplace.

I read an interview with 78-year-old Judith Sheindlin, aka Judge Judy, that resonated. Ms. Sheindlin is embarking on a new television adventure this fall and was asked if she’d given consideration to retiring.

Her response, “I’m not tired. I don’t play golf or tennis. I have no desire to learn how to play mahjong, chess or checkers. I know what I like to do. Why at my stage of life would I try to find something else when I already know what I like? And this isn’t a 9-5 job. I’ve still got time to see the children I love, the grandchildren who are growing up very fast and the cute mate I still get a kick out of.”

I began describing myself as semi-retired quite a few years ago when I stopped punching a time clock and began contracting. At tax time as the 1099s come in my husband shakes his head and asks rhetorically, “how many jobs do you have?”

When I posted Judge Judy’s quote on Facebook there were some very interesting responses.

Kathy Lyon said, “Mostly people don’t retire so much anymore. They re-phase. I’ve had a bunch of phases or new chapters.”

Susan Cuff tried retirement on for size, “I retired for six months and then went back to work at my perfect job. If you love what you do and it’s enhancing your life, keep doing it as long as you want!”

“Some of us “redirected” and followed a passion which happens to produce income all while giving joy to others,” said Shelly Matthews.

Maggie Lyons observed, “I know a lot of people who 'un-retired' for the very reason described by Judge Judy.”

A couple of my high school classmates weighed in, too. Diane Hayes Wahl said she has no plans to quit until she can’t do it any more. Pam Barrus Bitsch, an RN, said, “I help my doctors help people see better. They can’t do what they do without me and I know how hard it is to find good employees because I participate in that process for them, too. Judge Judy’s comment is exactly how I feel!”

Aaron Roberts, a behavioral health nurse practitioner had an interesting take: ”I like the sentiment, I think it’s important we teach the younger generations to strive to find a job that you won’t need to retire from due to feeling exhausted and burned out.”

Diana Witherspoon, a Realtor, tongue-in-cheek asked how one retires from self-employment. My answer, just stop working and buy yourself a gold watch.

I must admit there’s a certain pleasure in the flexibility and freedom of choice by having a marketable skill set acquired through years in the workplace. Working and enjoying life aren't mutually exclusive endeavors. To everything there is a season, to quote The Byrds. I’m thinking the Boomer generation of “senior citizens” can adopt the current catchphrase, “hold my beer” and see what we do next!

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My favorite recent retiree, Capt. Kim Edmondson of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, told me at her Monday evening retirement party she plans to take some time for rest and relaxation but will not be heading to the rocking chair any time soon. Teaching, consulting and such will likely be in her next phase.

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Happy birthday today to Laura Stensgar Penney, Tom Lien, Vera Brown, Julie Kohut, Jessica Smalley, Tammy Rupinski and Rick Nowoj. Tomorrow Jeannie Steele, Heather Hart, Barry White, John Goedde, Billie Gross, Shawn Nash, Tina Smith, Jana Hull and Lindsay Herbert blow out the candles.

On Friday Donna Jessick Atwood, Jessica Bauman, Ruth Fullwiler, Jessica Capaul, Dick Epstein, KV Nelson, Pam Freeman and Carter Hamby celebrate the day of their birth. Kalil Barkie, Michelle Fehling Purcell, Fred Glisson, Ken Keast, Tasha Seath and Jonathan Larson celebrate on Saturday. John Webb, Marlo Faulkner, Denise Durflinger, Margie McGaughey, Theresa Williams, Tom Morgan, Susan Ballinger, Joel Riner, April Needham, Steve Vick and Elaine Pandolfi have Sunday bithdays.

Richard Wilson, Shirley Galloway, Adam DeLuca, Amy Moffat and Michelle Pfennigs share a birthday on Monday. May 25 birthdays are shared by David Atwood, Jessie Morrow, Lori Moreland, Paul Finman, Toni Schelske, Dick Haugen, Joyce Harwood, Kasey Short, Debbi Long, Brad Cederblom, Sara Houser, Justin Jaworski and Char Carstensen.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.