It’s been five-and-a-half years since I retired, as a former associate reminded me last week at lunch. When I think about that fact, I marvel at what a wonderfully livable place the Eastern Shore is for all residents, but particularly for retirees, most of whom are senior citizens, defined as at least 60-years-old.
I just celebrated my 40th year as a content Shore resident. As a 71-year-old retiree, I have come to appreciate our piece of Planet Earth more fully than I ever did as 30-year commuter to Baltimore and Annapolis.
Allow me to cite my reasons. Others may differ, or perhaps even agree.
A man without any aptitude for woodworking and activities requiring manual dexterity, I quickly found that I had no constructive hobbies to occupy my time and mind. So, I chose to focus my time and limited funds on non-profits. Though there are days filled with meetings and prep reading, when I think I’ve lost complete control of my retirement, I thrive on the activity and mental stimulation.
Familiar primarily with Talbot County, I find I’m in the perfect place to participate in philanthropic endeavors. I’ve heard that this county has more than 250 non-profit organizations. Sometimes, all you have to do is raise your hand and volunteer. Other times, you must face a selection process to determine if your skills suffice and benefit the organization.
I’ve learned too that Talbot County, but others as well, comprises some of the most talented, accomplished and capable people whom I’ve ever known in 71 years of life. Serving on boards and committees with these individuals is a real bonus in my stage as an active retiree.
I recall when I first retired in early May 2011 I found myself frightened by the free time facing me every day. As a committed extrovert, I yearned for human interaction, something missing after leaving the workplace. Large blocks of unscheduled time concerned, rather than pleased me. When I would disclose this discomfort to friends who are committed introverts, they looked at me as if I were crazy. Why not just pick up a book and read for hours on end? Good for the mind.
Life has changed considerably since my initial dive into retirement. I now complain, mostly to myself, that I don’t have enough down time.
What I’ve determined after 66 months absent without leave from the work world is that retirement can and should be creative. While I can’t paint on a canvas, I can design my own version of life as a retiree. I can create opportunities to contribute my time, talent and funds (not a treasure) to activities that enhance our area’s culture and history, preserve our landscape and viewscape, nurture future leaders and support my university.
I’ve also discovered that I can spend more time on strengthening longtime friendships and developing others. That gives me great joy. I feel as if I reverted to my late teens by spending time, usually involving a meal, with people who mean a lot to me.
And, like many folks my age, I can enjoy the fruits of grand-parenting. Nearly two weeks ago, I attended a Veterans Day ceremony at my six-year-old grandson’s elementary school in West Annapolis. I loved having the time participating in an activity filled with patriotism and family bonding.
Back to life on the Eastern Shore, I must show my age and things I have to think about. We are fortunate to have excellent health care on the Shore. We are even luckier to be near some of the best hospitals in the world in Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia. In the spring of 2015, while grappling with the reality of prostate cancer, I could and did feel confident that Johns Hopkins Hospital, widely renowned throughout the world, was at my doorstep, or at least in the neighborhood.
Speaking of proximity to quality of life institutions, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the ease of travel for those who have the time to do so. Major airports in the cities mentioned in the prior paragraph, not to speak of the ubiquitous Route 95 that runs down the spine of the East Coast, make escapes from home easy and convenient.
As I enter the beginning of my 41st year on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I can think of few places where I would rather live my years as a retired senior citizen.
I suspect that Spy readers have their own thoughts about this creative passage of life. Care to share?
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
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