Renton Woman Magazine November/December 2015 | Page 47

life than I was while working my regular grind! Geez! I think to some, I may be sounding like an ungrateful dweeb (look it up kids) and they might be saying “Get it together!” (Dr Phil would call you judgemental) but believe me, this is more of a mind adventure than I anticipated! I recognize this is a time to touch and see everything, and I’m grateful to be able to at this time of life but such a chance at self-directed greatness is intimidating. My dream of leaving the company was comfortable in the distance. The pinching shoe fit perfectly. The daily hustle kept me busy and set. I knew what to expect. I’m not sure why I believed I would get something other than what I asked for when I prayed continuously for a change. Sigh. Crazy, huh? I’m obviously still trying to break in these new life shoes - the leather is stiff but they are my size. Just like this time of reflection and rest is specifically mine for right now. My final thoughts two weeks into retirement? This retirement means knowing that I’m not finished - still a little scary but exciting. I’m not the position I hold - I learned everything I used at that job, I’m still capable of learning more. I’m really not lost or idle. I’m realizing, in this time, I’m gradually being reunited with the me I knew before I stumbled into the last quarter of a century. Written by Shannon Brooks NOV/DEC 2015 47