Unplanned Retirement

by Sally

On September 1, 2011, I was forced to retire from my job that I loved and had defined me for more than 25 years. I was a school bus driver and the school board demanded retirement at 70.

After ignoring what was coming, I was forced to stare at it, face on. I was not ready and railed at the school board, writing letters to various people on the board, and not getting a reply. I finally had to admit that I could not get over this ""loss" without help.

I went to one session with a counselor, and then I was able move on. While working as a school bus driver, I mentored children for 20 years. Now that I am not involved in the daily life of the school, my heart has gone out of mentoring and this is the first year that I haven't done it.

Right now I am like a ship without a rudder, and I don't know what I want to do to change it. I wish there was a magic button I could press and it would tell me how to fill my empty days with a meaningful solution.

Any ideas?


Comments for Unplanned Retirement

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Bus Driver Forever
by: Anonymous

Sally, I think that your retirement life could work when you hit that magic button. It's called follow your dreams.

After you have given your best service to children in the school system you might want to look at small businesses involved in transporting seniors to shopping centers, medical appointments and any other service that seniors require.

I know that there are shortages of drivers in this valuable service area. Locally, in Canada there is a small business called 'Driving Miss Daisey' that I would assume would pay it's drivers on an hourly basis to take seniors to various outings and appointments.

Joe W.
Various options.
by: Antoinette Canada

Hi Sally.

You like working with children. I do not know where you live, but here in Canada there are the following things you could do.

Mentor to a child with only 1 parent, lunch room supervisor, playground supervisor. These are only part-time positions. There are some childrens charity organisations always looking for volunteers. Christmas Child is in need of help before the holidays.

I hope some of my suggestions help, good luck. Antoinette Calgary Canada.
NEXT CHAPTER
by: Anonymous

SALLY

WHEN 1 DOOR SHUTS ANOTHER 1 OPENS~ U ENJOYED YOUR JOB, CHILDREN,BEING NEEDED, FULL-FILLED, AND U WERE HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE AS IT WAS THEN! HOWEVER WE ALL MUST MOVE ON, LIFE IS WHAT IT IS, WE MUST MAKE THE BEST OF IT*

U NEED TIME TO GRIEVE, YOU ARE ANXIOUS& VERY LIKELY DEPRESSED, SAD, UNHAPPY, YOUR SITUATION WILL BECOME BETTER IN TIME*

U MUST FOCUS ON WHAT WILL MAKE U HAPPY & WORTH-WHILE AGAIN, WHETHER WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING, U ENJOY BEING AROUND YOUNG CHILDREN SO U CAN CONSIDER A PART-TIME POSITION AT A SCHOOL, WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING OVER LUNCH OR AT THE YWCA, OR AT THE CHILDRENS' WARD AT YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL*

THERE R SO MANY OPTIONS OUT THERE, U ARE NOT ALONE, MANY RETIREES FEEL AND THINK THE SAME WAY U R THINKING & FEELING RIGHT NOW!

BUT IN X YOU WILL SEE THAT YOUR SITUATION WILL* BECOME BETTER. U MUST FOCUS ON BEING HAPPY AND U. DO FUN THINGS FOR YOURSELF, TAKE YOURSELF OUT TO LUNCH OR DINNER, SIT THERE AND JUST EAT & DRINK A GLASS OF WINE & RELAX* WATCH THE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND U AND THINK ABOUT WHAT MAKES THEM TICK?

I DO WISH U NOTHING BUT THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE, REMEMBER YOUR FRIENDS,FAMILY, AND CHRISTMAS IS FAST APPROACHING,SHOPPING WILL KEEP U BUSY* VISIT THE CHILDRENS' WARD AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND MAKE THE LITTLE ONES SMILE**

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