• Lucytorial said on Nov 28, 2008....

  You are the same age as my father Woman, and through the years I have seen him change into a different man yet as you say certain dreams and certain parts of his emotional anatomy have begun to really shine.
   
  I see in him the wisdom I wish to hold in my own life, I see in him a young man still chuckling at the nuances of life and people., never lose that self Woman, you have a wonderful outlook on life and I am very very honored to know you.
   
  Us young women need someone to look up to sometimes.

• woman said on Nov 28, 2008....

  I've changed too Lucy. But mostly just growing into my true self. Being brave enough and comfortable enough to just be who i am. Your Daddy may have done the same. Thank you for the kind words. You are just like another one of my spirited daughters.

• Lucytorial said on Nov 28, 2008....

  T/Y lady Woman.  I've always lacked in my growing years any female role models, women to talk and be with, learn about being a women.  As I age I am now meeting more and more special women whom I feel quite proud to be associated with, how else am I to tame my wildness? I need like many of us someone to be around, read, talk to and see that has lived their trials and tribulations and still is with aplomb, style, class and a carefree I am who I am way.

• SantaClause said on Nov 28, 2008....

  HO HO HO I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy "New" Year!

   

• woman said on Nov 28, 2008....

  Lucy. Then consider yourself one of my girls. You are doing just fine but I do sense a kindred spirit in you. So daughter, stand by me this month. It's going to be a rough one.

• woman said on Nov 28, 2008....

  Thanks Santa. You're a little early but Christmas spirit is always welcome.

• SantaClause said on Nov 28, 2008....

  HO HO HO just checking my list. It is never to early for Christmas spirit Woman! I will be around to make sure everyone is jolly. HO HO HO

• secretlife said on Nov 29, 2008....

  There's not much you can do about turning 60.  What I do nowadays is remind myself on my birthdays that this is the youngest i'm ever gonna be again, so i better enjoy it!.  lol....sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't....
   
  Retiring......is this something you really want to do?  Do you have actual plans for what comes next?  What are they?  List them for me?
   
  Change is so hard.  God I hate change.  I just get used to things and then change comes a visiting....and so i change and just get used to the new things and then change comes back.  I already know thru experience that sometimes change isn't so good-  sometimes it makes everything different forever more in not-so-good a way-  But i also know some change is good. 
   
  Saying goodbye to old friends, places, routines.......wow that's a big thing.  It's no wonder you can't get your arms around it.
   
  But if you truly want to retire-  if you really have plans for your retirement-  then what your feeling is just the tug of that big-big goodbye that change brings.  And since it has a date on it, and a time---you know when it's coming, and you worry- will i be ready?  i think that adds to the emotionalism.
   
  It's going to be ok woman.  Somehow/someway.........it'll all be ok.
  I wish you the peace of mind and heart to glide thru this time and remember all the wonderful memories but be able to "see" that there's MORE LIFE on the other side of this change.
   
   

• CreativeWoman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Isn't 60 the new 50?  Change is very scary especially when you have one of those milestone birthdays mixed in.  That being said, I'm betting you are going to find many new fulfilling things to occupy your time.  You will be blessed and still be a blessing to others.
  
  ((((Hang in there.))))
  
  CW
  

• Me-Myself&I said on Nov 29, 2008....

  i wish you all the joy in your new passage in life! yup, it is very hard to change after you have been one way for so long. good luck!

• travelr712 said on Nov 29, 2008....

  you could very well have another 30 or 40 years on this earth woman, and now you'll be able to enjoy them. you will get through the month, one way or another, it's inevitable

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  SL~Thanks for all your kind and helpful words. Funny. I use that same line on myself about this is as young as I will ever be and to enjoy. It helps but when you are telling yourself that about 60...whew! I have lots of plans for retirement. I am planning on returning to Guatemala in January, to study spanish, visit friends, and sight see. Also to write because I will be going alone and I should have significant quiet time. When home again, I plan on volunteering in some of my grandchildren's classrooms and in my daughter's workshop. I will have more time to visit with my father and will complete the book I am writing on his life. I plan on exploring tai chi and yoga and having the time to walk each day with my neighborhood friend. When all this becomes boring or when I need to make a little money, I plan on substitute teaching. So. Lots and lots of plans, but you are right, this change thing is a lump to swallow. You know I have diabetes and have been fighting that for 35 years. The doctors think that leaving work and the stress that that brings, will be helful. I know that I am tired. So, it's the right time, it's just never an easy time. And I know I will be ok. I don't think this change will be bad or good. Just different. Thanks again.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  CW~Ahh, were it only true. I'll be ok though. I am blessed to feel well most days and I have lots of plans (see above) to fill my days and perhaps even make this a time of growth. I'm just moving on in my life journey. One big plus could be the improvement in my sugar levels. Thanks CW.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  MMI~Thanks for your good wishes. Hearing kind words from all of you is going to be a big help the next few weeks. Thanks again.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Trav~Aren't you the optomist here! I'm not planning on being around for that long but I am planning on using and enjoying each year I am given. Heck. I feel about 40 or so on good days. And yes, that's young folks!!! And you are right Trav, one way or another I will move through this month. Thanks for writing.

• quietone said on Nov 29, 2008....

  well, I am not that far behind you woman.  I am so looking fwd to retiring, but not necessarily turning 60.  You are right though.. time just kinda takes us along for a ride doesn't it?  And some of those years... wow what a ride.  Now, as hard as it is to leave the children and things you know so well... there will be a new ride for you to enjoy.  I know in my heart you will be just fine.. it is just a transition that takes some getting used to. 

• secretlife said on Nov 29, 2008....

  what a list!
  you're going to have a wonderful time.........it's just getting thru this next month that will be difficult.  breathe deeply and take lots of mental pictures for your personal scrapbook........let this be a very special time....as it should be.
   
  breathe......deeply.  and don't be afraid of crying and letting it out when you need to.  hell, i do that on almost a daily basis these days!  honestly, sometimes i think i'm melting!!!!  hugs and best wishes to you always!

• gingersoul said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Woman....your students will surely miss you the way you will miss them..... a good teacher is someone who is remembered forever.
  
  I stil have sweet memories of my elementary teacher....Suor Giovanna, a young nun who adored me. Another teacher i remember with fondness has also been the most strict and demanding with me...but she gave me discipline and passion for studying....
  
  Many of my friends in Italy are teachers so i know how passionate they can be toward their kids and work.
  I always believed that being teacher is a choice that defines your life in more than one way.
  
  And it will be tough for you taking a new direction. But you always strike me as a strong and head leveled woman. Full of passion and determination.
  Your plans for the next years are a proof of this...you will not let age defining your soul and your dreams.
  
  I wish you all the strength and the focus you need to face this new chapter in your life. Stay with us and talk about it. It will help {hugs}
  

• fragglesrock said on Nov 29, 2008....

  thank you so much for writing this. my mother is also retiring and turning sixty in june.  although she is excited she is also scared and nervous....reading this helps me understand what she may be feeling and hopefully i will be strong for her and ready with the right words of support.  as far support for you....we never want to wish our life away, embrace where you are and blaze a trail :)

• husbandhater said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Woman I knew you were mature but not 60. But God bless. I hope you enjoy it.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  SL~Yes. That breathing thing is pretty important!! It sounds like you need to do the same Secret. I know how full your life is and how little time you have for just you. You write me if you need to vent. I've been there. Now you breathe too.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Ginger~I suspect you are right. Being a teacher is something that colors your entire life. In the best of ways. Thank you for your well wishes. I will be here and in a New York Second I will be posting about my new life! Thanks Ginger, I liked hearing about your teacher.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  HH~Mature?? Not necessarily. Just old. God's blessing will help, along with a sense of humor!

• Lucytorial said on Nov 29, 2008....

  When I first met you I thought you were early fourties... tehehehehe so young at heart, spirited, wise and generous what qualities to forge a new part of your journey. 
   
  I'm still in school if that makes sense, haven't quite graduated from Uni yet.

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Quiet~Hello there! I thought you were around my age. And lordy yes, It's a trip and a half! Goes faster all the time but I am dragging my heels and trying to live each moment as the gift it is. You coping ok?

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Lucy. I think more days than not, I feel like I'm in my 40's. Are you really studying at a University or are you enrolled in the school of life?? And wise?? Hmm, don't know about that but I have been paying attention! Good time last night, huh Lucy?

• woman said on Nov 29, 2008....

  Fraggie~You are welcome dear. Sometimes it is difficult to see our mothers as real people, isn't it? If this helps, terrific. I'm not wishing away one day of my life. I'm just trying to get my bearings. Thanks Fraggie.

• Lucytorial said on Nov 29, 2008....

  school of  life woman, and last night was enormous fun! :-D

• cntlvmenuf said on Nov 30, 2008....

  As I grow older and the more I learn, I gain respect for any age you know. I think teachers are the most under appreciated people most of the times. Think of how many parents trust their children's lifes to be moulded by the teachers, who to me are pillars of the community.
   
  Even if I dont know you well, I bet you've made a difference to so many. You may not know what lies on the other side of 60, but its gonna be what you make it to be. You've been taking care of others for so long, time to take care of you. You are as old as you feel, and the only limitations most of the time are the ones you set for yourself.
   
  So woman (ha, am amused I can say that, I love your username, woman!), enjoy the beginning of the rest of your life! I look forward to getting to know you and especially to learn from you.

• woman said on Nov 30, 2008....

  Cnt~Hello and welcome to my place. Thanks for the kind word about teachers. I do believe that teachers become a part of childrens lives and memories. One of the things I enjoy is older students greeting me in the mall, etc.. They come and give me a hug and we catch up. Sometimes they actually come and visit me at school or at my home, if we were especially close. I will miss that. So. Thanks for your well wishes and stay tuned.

• blueraven6 said on Jul 26, 2009....

  It's a new day, and a new life and a new song.
  
  Sing it!
  
  Joyfully.
  

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