Monday, June 25, 2018

Working From Home Retirement

If it's possible at 70 years of age to be "working from home," I am; I, too, work at home. I'm also a stay-at-home mom and a stay-at-home grandma. I use the stay-at-home phrase loosely; although my children and grandchildren are not underfoot, they are always in my heart, on my mind, in my prayers. Can we call this multi-tasking?

After starting my teaching career, if someone had told me they "work at home," I would have thought you lucky girl, what do you do all day long? However, the world is full of change and mystery, and what we thought could never be, is, ... or at least takes on a new look. The internet, laptops, and smart phones have turned our social and work worlds upside down.

I can not determine where my personal world went haywire. Although I have been retired for nine years, I set the timer when I sit to read or write, so I can get up and attend to something else. I have friends who are looking for things to do, places to go... and I am wondering where things went whack-o for me. I am still working at home, working from home, being a stay-at-home mom and grandma and, even though multi-tasking, wondering how I am going to get it all done.

For example, the deck still needs its last coat of stain--a project I started a year ago. Business papers who have met their expiration dates and need to meet the shredder rest on the couch in the family room. The deep freeze needs defrosting, and, oh, yes, the water softener next to it is greedy for salt crystals. The second story windows haven't been washed since we moved in.... and I'm not saying what year that was. And, please don't mention the garden and its multitude of weeds.

I could go on, but you get the point.
God wants us to rest.
Yesterday, I did. Or, at least I did restful things--we went to church, we went to a movie, we finished the day by going to an ice cream social. I felt very relaxed and satisfied at the end of my Sunday. There was only one problem: I could NOT sleep. My body was not used to this relaxed state....

The only solution I can think of is to retire from working from home, retire from working at home.... and quit all this multi-tasking. The multi-tasking never was a very good idea. Parenthood and grand parenting stay on the list as heart issues and forever things.

In all reality for this to happen, I need to move a few blocks down the street to Apple Valley-- an assistive living home in a lovely setting. They mow the grass, do your laundry, cook your meals. I could play bridge, sit in front of the fireplace and watch a movie with the other residents, and wait for my children to take me out for ice cream. Sometime.... Somewhere....

Until then, I will stay here in my "somewhere" knowing that God has an eternal Somewhere that will be heavenly, restful, peaceful...... and try to more wisely discern my earthly priorities.

Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, thee is freedom And we, who with unveiled faces, all reflect the LORD'S glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the LORD who is the Spirit. 
                                                                                                                             2 Corinthians 3:17-18


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