Retirement

A New Chapter Begins

This post is a little different from my usual RV topics, but in many ways it’s the reason this blog exists.

Yesterday, I retired.

Again.

Hopefully, for the last time.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to have several careers. I spent 25 years in law enforcement, worked for many years as a training consultant, and for the past few years have worked part-time at a big-box home improvement store.

Yesterday was my last day.

It was a day filled with mixed emotions. Saying goodbye to good people is never easy, especially when you’ve enjoyed going to work each day. One of the things I liked most about the job was helping people with their home improvement projects. In many ways, it was another opportunity to teach and share what I’ve learned over the years.

I’ll miss many of the people I worked with, and I hope to stay in touch with several of them.

A lot of people asked if we were having a retirement party or doing something special to celebrate.

The answer is no.

To be honest, it just feels like another day—but it’s also the beginning of something completely different.

For the first time since I was 16 years old—and probably 14 if you count working summers on my uncle’s farm—I don’t have a job to go to.

That’s a strange feeling.

It’s also a good one.

Instead of planning my life around a work schedule, I now have the freedom to plan my days around the things Pat and I want to do.

As my wife said, who is retiring this week as well, “We’re starting a new chapter.”

She’s right.

RVing will be a big part of that chapter.

We’ve already reserved a site in Florida for next winter, officially making us snowbirds. This summer is filled with camping trips, and we’ll be spending time making sure our fifth wheel is ready for the adventures ahead.

There are still plenty of places to see, people to meet, and memories to make.

So, while this post isn’t really about RVs, it is about the journey.

I hope you’ll continue to follow along as Pat and I begin this next chapter of our lives. We don’t know exactly where the road will take us, but that’s part of what makes the adventure so exciting.

Here’s to retirement, new adventures, and many miles of open road ahead.