“Are you still having fun?” I was asked the other day by an anxious middle-ager who was contemplating joining me in retirement. What are you supposed to answer?
“I’m finding interesting things to do,” I replied, defensively.
“Are you planning any trips to the coast or down south?”
“Well, we’re talking about it but we’re finding plenty to do right here, meetings, curling, indoor tennis and, pretty soon, gardening.”
“When I retire I’m not going to get tied down working for a bunch of organizations like you two did. Retirement should be fun, not a continuation of the sort of pressure-cooker hassle you get working.”
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“What do you regard as fun?”
“Travel, parties, golf, fishing, trailering, sitting on beaches.”
“I sat on a beach once and got sand fleas.”
“I can’t figure it. You could be travelling all over the world, seeing all kinds of interesting places. But you stay home and second motions in committees.”
“Once in a while I get to move the motions. Anyway, when I was gainfully employed, part of my job was travelling and reporting on other people who seconded motions. After 40 years of hotels and restaurant food, one looks for something different. It’s fun to get in the arena and try a few choke holds rather than sit in the press box.”
“Well, okay, if that’s what turns your crank. I suppose that someone has to keep the do-good sector functioning and the sports clubs from going bankrupt, but give me Disney World any time.”
“It’s all yours, but don’t lock the gate. I may want to come and have a look some day.”
