I inherited the “late bloomer” gene from my parents. Way back in the 1950s, my father’s favorite song was “Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think.” All the memories I have of my dad are of him having fun, everywhere he went and in everything he did … even work.
Dad was a born entrepreneur with a real zest for life. Mom was definitely a late bloomer. Like most girls of her generation, she worked alongside her husband in the family business, raised three children, and waited to take care of her own bucket list until everyone and everything else was taken care of. Dad died young — at the age of 59. Mom lived to almost 95, and at 65 she decided to go to college, where she really began to bloom. She graduated cum laude with a degree in English at 70 and then thought about what would be the most fun thing for her to do when she grew up.
More and more people are discovering that maturity is a wonderful part of life. In fact, many “mature” people are deciding not to retire into what could be the golden years of boredom and instead are turning their lives around and finding new paths to explore, starting new businesses or beginning new careers. This new generation of “mature” men and women are looking for ways to make their lives more exciting, interesting, and rewarding. Many are now thinking of aging as a more positive experience than they previously had imagined.
George Elliot (the pen name of author Mary Anne Evans) said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” World famous philosopher Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” There you are. Those who are getting ready to retire from today’s workforce have lots of choices, and many are choosing to play until they can’t play anymore.
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“It’s never too late to begin again” is becoming a mantra for many who are looking ahead at reinventing themselves for an exciting future. Life’s journey offers endless opportunities for blooming fun. I know several retirees who have chosen not to stay home and park themselves in front of the television. With Dane County’s abundance of volunteer opportunities, they’re out making a dramatic impact on the lives of others in the community by sharing their time, talent, and wisdom in various volunteer roles.
Though I’m not retired, I’m enjoying “semi-retirement” as I mentor and applaud our daughter, Janet, as she becomes more and more the leader here, with the clear understanding that total “retirement” is not a word in my vocabulary. Being a
late bloomer, and remembering Dad’s favorite song, I’m enjoying life — having fun at work and in everything else I do.
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