Question of the Day | 05/13/2008 12:00 am

What is your definition of retirement?

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Retire? At 55 I’m just ramping up. Unless you actually mean re-tire..which is when you burn out your first set and put on the new set, ready for the open road!

By Lennie Rose on 05/13/2008 7:17 am

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Illusive….tried it once, but hold habits die hard.

By Sick of Politics Ugh on 05/13/2008 7:18 am

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I’ve seen the image of my retirement: prominent sex therapist living the good life in a rancher in the California hills, with a few horses, and my grandchildren nearby. I can continue to see clients until I drop. My grandmother died at 97, in her sleep. The previous day, she had been to the grocery store, hairdresser, and was working on a sewing project. My “mothering-mentor” has 8 children and 42 grandchildren. She is technically retired from her “school’s founder” position, but she’s only accelerated her pace, and more vibrant than ever.

By Bella Mia on 05/13/2008 8:12 am

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It struck me funny that Peggy Noonan said she could have a brain hemorrhage and no choice on retiring. That is exactly what happened to me due to an annuerysm of the brain back in 1991. I was 42 at the time and NOT ready to retire but lucky to live. In the last few years I worked part time once and it was much better than when I’m staying home because I feel more like a whole person. Before my health problems occured I was the general manager of a company and used to being in charge of things. I lost about a year in my life because I needed 2 brain surgeries and I don’t remember much of the time while all of that was happening but I have a wonderful family that got me to the other side and wonderful doctors who seem to have put what was left of my brain back together pretty well. Retirement may not always be a choice you want to make but sometimes it’s better than what might have happened.

By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 05/13/2008 8:29 am

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Being retired to me means not having to wear uncomfortables bras all day, every day! I can walk, not run, through grocery stores. Best of all…I no longer have to tolerate obnoxious, annoying co-workers who made me dread going to work.

By carol wilson on 05/13/2008 8:30 am

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carol, the wonderful thing is i will never ever have to wear a bra again. and since gynecomastia is a side effect of my medication, that is just as well. women, i admit it! not having to get up until i’m ready (no more 5am cow milkings) and being free to set my own agenda are great things.

By mary lou s on 05/13/2008 9:01 pm

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Retirement to me means never surrendering to an alarm clock again or being part of the relentless rat race of the narrow-minded (those who cannot see the world beyond their own front yard). My husband and I have not reached the “traditional” age of retirement yet (is there such an age?). We do have frequent conversations about what we want to do when the time comes …… and you guessed it …….. we’ll be self-employed! We’re workng on the creation of a RV getaway. It’s a lot of planning, but we’re on the right track.

By Linda Clark on 05/13/2008 8:31 am

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the thought of retirement has never, ever entered my mind. as long as i can walk & talk & cut my food by myself, i’ll keep on keepin’ on. there is nothing i am planning to do “later”. i’m doing it all now.

By a. m. on 05/13/2008 8:32 am

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“retirement” for me will be doing something I want to do rather than something I have to do to earn a buck. I am amused Sherman that you think only men have to work until they die. You retired at 50- I’m headed to 60 with no retirement date in sight. I am the breadwinner and apt to stay that way for awhile - someone has to support these English majors!

By Laughing Allegra on 05/13/2008 8:44 am

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It is a positively wonderful part of life….don’t knock it til you’ve tried it. It can be anything you want it to be because you are in charge.Magic everyday at your own pace.Anything one wants…anytime one wants it.What’ not to like? Illness? So What!

By Charles Dance on 05/13/2008 8:51 am

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Ahh… a question that scares me! I’m about to quit my job for family reasons. It’s a job I care very very deeply about. But not one I really specifically want to “do” every day. It’s just darn hard. Sort of like digging emotional ditches every day. Seeing the worst the world has to offer in people. It’s tough. it’s unhealthy and damaging. But there are parts of it that I love more than I can express. I’m scared about that first day I wake up and don’t have to be to work at 8am. I’m scared about Friday not being the beginning of the weekend. But I’ve decided that I want to do “more”. I want to take this stuff I love and know and make a difference in a different way. A way that doesn’t also destroy me physically and emotionally. but i’m scared. I never wanted to retire. i’ve never wanted to stay home from work. freakin out here big time.

By Chrome Toe on 05/13/2008 9:16 am

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My husband and I have owned our own company for 21 years. To us, this is retirement because we love what we do for work, people continue to want our services, we decide when we want to fit in vacations, and we only have to answer to ourselves. We have the best of all worlds. Everyday when we wake up, we’re grateful that we get to do what we want and get paid for it.

By Rachel B on 05/13/2008 9:22 am

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We have been business owners for the last 4 years, and it is a huge strain - and a great blessing. I was wondering what kind of business you have rachel?

By Bella Mia on 05/13/2008 10:24 am

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>>I was wondering what kind of business you have rachel?<< www.bb4wa.com It’s a 4-wheel drive training business for all kinds of sport utility vehicles. He does the off-road training for people and groups that want to get to see remote areas of the back country, and businesses that use 4-wheel drives in their daily operations. He also writes articles on safety. I do the rest of the stuff, like run our website, do all scheduling, respond to email, answer phone calls, proofread and edit his articles. I understand your comment about the strain as in our business fuel is a huge concern for both us and our clients. We lived in Colorado for many years and did the majority of our work throughout the west and southwest. However, people in other parts of the country kept requesting our services (my husband is known in this industry all over the world) so two years ago we sold our home in western Colorado and moved into a motor home so we could travel around the country to work. Just in time for fuel prices to explode. Ouch. So now we’re figuring out our next step because of this. It’s definitely a challenge with great stresses and great rewards for us. I hope it is the same for you, Bella Mia. What is your business? As an aside, I love the traveling life ‘cause I always have my own bed, office, kitchen and bath with me! :)

By Rachel B on 05/13/2008 4:40 pm

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Rachel — my husband and I retired from our former careers after 20 years. He flew jets off carriers (Navy) and I had a career with a major airline for the same 20 years. We moved here, opened our own business 20 years ago — we love it. I agree, we both love coming to work each day and we’ve also found time to take wonderful trips. Indeed, the best of both worlds. We both are not interested in retirement. My dad used to say “Everyone always needs a place to go”. He worked up until 2 years before he died. He was 89. Loved going to work! It was a godsend for him after my mother died. Guess I inherited his genes. My husband and I talk about retirement, however, it will be a while down the road. Too much to do, people to see and things to do.

By Lady Gator on 05/13/2008 2:19 pm