School and Community Fall 2022

land of retirement, I had dreams of all the books I was FINALLY going to have time to read and how much better-rested I would feel. This is where if I could insert a sound effect, I would make sure you heard a LOUD buzzer and me yelling, “WRONG!” Situations vary, but over the past year of retirement I have worn many hats. None of these hats are ones that protected me from the sun as waves lapped at my feet while I sipped a fruity drink in some tropical location. My daughter pointed out to me that technically I am in the “sandwich generation” and that’s why I didn’t have a lot of time for myself or tropical getaways this past year. Even though I wish this term meant consuming more footlong subs, it really means that I live a life where I am in between helping aging relatives and raising a kiddo of my own. For example, I have tried hard to spend more time with my 91-year-old grandmother who constantly has new nuggets of wisdom for me. When not with her, I try to find ways to get the protein drinks she needs for a bargain. You see, inflation has impacted her, too! I have been on hand for my 76-year old stepfather any time he will accept my help. A lot of this past year involved sorting through items with him to decide what to keep, sell or donate. Many of these treasures belonged to my late mother and the process of sorting through what remains of her earthly possessions rips at my heartstrings. However, the ladies at the resale shop always seem excited to see me. I tend to see them on Wednesdays. Uber-ing my daughter to and from school, math tutoring sessions, driving lessons and social events put a lot of miles on my vehicle, but it put a lot of smiles on my face. I will say an unexpected bonus to her “taking her time” to get a license were some great car chats. We aren’t big on having the radio on nonstop, so sometimes that silence was filled with her expressing her thoughts on a multitude of subjects. Now that she is fully licensed, it looks like she plans to use my Uber-ing services less often during my second year of retirement, which is her senior year of high school. However, she’s already been tapping into my help with essay contests, art portfolios for prospective colleges and more. She keeps me on my toes! The point is, free time is an *illusion*. Unless you have ZERO relatives or loved

ones in your life that you associate with, you may not have time for that beach vacation or those books you wish to read. There’s literally been weeks I have been so busy that I have wondered when I had time to have a full time teaching job and a family too?! Let’s look back at the case of my dear friend who told me, “Your time isn’t your time.” What takes a LOT of her time these days isn’t her newly-constructed She Shed for her glass art; it’s grandbabies and children and other family members she loves so dearly. I have come to the conclusion that, while I do need to make time for the hobbies and experiences I enjoy, being in the “sandwich generation” doesn’t last long. While it can be hectic, stressful, and frustrating, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Side note: once the kiddo goes to college in the fall of 2023, I am predicting you might find me spending a few days on a beach somewhere sipping something fruity with a big floppy hat on my head and a book in hand. It’s my goal. No Regrets Overall, I honestly am on the fence about my choice to retire early. Was it the smartest thing I have ever done? Part of me fears that in about five years, I will kick myself for not waiting for full retirement and hitting the Rule of 80. With that said, I try to live a life without regrets, so while I don’t regret the choice I made, there’s times I wish I had a better picture of what I was getting into. And that is the reason I wanted to share this with MSTA members who may be sitting there pondering leaving education on a reduced retirement package. Please, don’t think the grass will be greener on the other side. It’s just different, and different isn’t always better, it’s just different. Michelle Turner spent 23 of her 25 years of teaching at Washington High School in Franklin County. Her dedication to teaching journalism earned her multiple state and national honors that include being named the National Broadcast Adviser of the Year by the Journalism Education Association in 2016. She still volunteers for SchoolJournalism.org when she is not assisting her animal-loving daughter with their cats, aquatic turtle, and gecko.

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