Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Retirement - The Second Time Around

Mr. Fixit is retired for the second time. He retired the first time 7 years ago. He didn’t work for year, but when my Cobra insurance terminated, he had to find a job with benefits so that I would have coverage. We couldn’t afford to buy it individually, and I wasn’t able to work.


My birthday is in a few weeks so my Medicare coverage has begun. He is able to stop working, thank goodness. I can’t tell you how guilty I have felt these past seven years knowing that he was working just for insurance for me. It was even worse because he hated it so badly. I cringed every day when he blew off steam about it to me. I’m so happy that he doesn’t have to endure it anymore. He deserved to quit eight years ago when he was eligible for retirement. During his working life, he worked every overtime hour he could get when he was an hourly employee. When he moved up to management, his hours were even longer. He has earned his retirement.

I was hoping I could establish some sort of routine, but it looks like we will just be playing it by ear. Every time he has an errand to do, he asks me to go with him. I very seldom turn down a chance to go out even if I just wait in the car and people-watch.

Since Monday he has been doing some little odd jobs around the house, and his truck still isn’t operable. The truck is his next big job. Ben, our older son, called a little while ago to ask him to do some painting at their trailer park. I don’t think he will have any trouble staying busy.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

He won't have trouble staying busy, in fact, he'll learn to say no to a lot of things.

Golden To Silver Val said...

He will soon wonder when he had the time to WORK. Retirement's not for sissies either. Sounds like you've got yourself one really good guy. Give him hugs often.