Most of the questions that came my way used to be more about the events I covered as a broadcaster, including the players and coaches I covered and those I partners I worked with on the air.
I still get them, but not as much as the question of what it’s like to be retired.
Other than the younger folk who have their careers ahead of them, retirement is a subject that people are either thinking about, making definite plans about, anticipating with joy or dread, or already in the charmed circle.
There are those who can’t wait to retire, those who always wanted to retire early and did just that, and those who are apprehensive about this big change in their lives.
I’m always asked whether I miss working?
What is it like to be retired?
Here’s my answer.
I’m retired from working for a living.
But I haven’t retired from living.
There’s a difference.
I was blessed to work in a wonderful profession. I enjoyed it tremendously.
Who wouldn’t?
There was a time, most of my years actually, when I knew about everyone who played, coached and managed the sports I broadcast.
I knew about the games, not as I did as a fan in my younger years, but as kind of an expert who had to know what he was talking about.
But as time went on, it didn’t have the same meaning or importance anymore.
That’s what happened.
I was ready to move on. The travel became more difficult and being away most weekends was getting old.
I always had other interests, and those became more prominent as my desire to be a sportscaster waned.
No surprise here, but people are different.
Many wonder what they will do to fill their time?
What will it be like not to make the huge decisions in their business that made walking every morning so exciting?
There may be a fear, which is natural, for what lies ahead.
This is where attitude, perspective and reality come into play.
We all knew sooner or later, the time would come when we would move into the next phase of our lives.
Just as we left college life, and began going to work, we always knew the reality that the next chapter would come, and the next, and the next.
I can only speak for myself, but my temperament has never involved constant movement and urgency.
I learned to know how to relax.
Do nothing, if that’s what it is that day.
Learn to do other things that may not be of incredible significance, but the kind of things that have given me joy and satisfaction.
I wish I had learned to fish. Going out and spending time on a boat, waiting with patience to catch fish would have been perfect for me.
But my background was far, far away from that enjoyable and relaxing pastime.
People are different, indeed.
So, I have concentrated on other things.
To keep active, I love playing golf, tennis, and working out with my trainer.
You don’t have to be good to do any of those, but they’re fun to do.
I do recommend that if you workout, you have a professional trainer to guide you.
When you do, you know if you’re doing the various exercises correctly, how much is the proper weight of the apparatus, and the right amount of repetitions.
Jamie and I have traveled to Ireland, Scotland, and Mexico to golf.
Playing on courses in the Alexandria Bay area, and at Grenadier Island Country Club are more regular on our calendars.
Remember it’s the game that counts. Not always the locale.
And it always seems to be better when you don’t score, for some reason.
I started my athletic life in tennis and after giving it up to try to learn golf, I have returned. I’m delighted I have.
Tennis is Jamie’s number one vocation, and she would be incredibly disappointed if I didn’t remind our readers that the annual John Russell Memorial Tennis Tournament will take place July 21ston the Alexandria Bay courts.
The tournament, with proceeds going to Community Betterment, is open to doubles competition for 12 teams of men and 12 teams of women.
It is a truly fun event with prizes and refreshments at a cost of $40 per person.
For more info call (480) 612-5469.
Of course, there are those who are not athletically inclined and may not have the desire or warewithal to play, golf, tennis and workout.
That’s where other interests pay off.
For me, there are many of those.
Reading detective, mystery, suspense and spy novels lead the passage.
I’m in the middle of a good one.
It’s Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclays. I had just finished his most recent book, The Lie Maker, and was impressed enough to read another one by Barclay before I moved on.
I always have plenty of books. “warming up in the bullpen”.
Music has been a prominent part of my life and playing the piano and singing is a joyful experience.
I have by many favorites, nearly 100 to be exact, but there’s always a new one to download on my Nook and learn to play.
Recently, on vacation in Italy, there was an excellent guitarist performing at our hotel. He played in the style of John Williams, not the orchestra leader, but a legendary guitarist. I have never forgotten Williams’ rendition of Cavatina, which was known to most, as the theme of the great film, The Deer Hunter from the mid-60’s.
He didn’t know the song, wrote the title down, and said he would find it.
I found it on-line, downloaded it, and have begun to learn this beautiful piece.
The fact there are five notes played as sharps, makes it an extra challenge for me.
But that’s the kind of adventure my life brings these days. Nothing earth-shattering, really, the little things, that bring simple joy.
Perhaps my latest endeavor is chess.
I’ve always played it, not often, and have looked upon the game as a combination strategic military battle, where foresight and patience are required.
I’ve come upon an app called Chess.com.
It has become my favorite.
Not only does it present puzzles each day, but it has allowed me to play chess against opponents from around the world.
Really!
I usually play 30 minute games against chess players from India, Morocco, Russia, Israel, Ethiopia and many other countries including those from the US.
Sometimes we are closely rated, other times, one of us has a superior rating.
These are terrific tests.
One thing I’ve learned. If you’re fatigued in any way, don’t play.
You’ll be beaten.
So that’s my rundown on life after retirement.
Does it have to be as exciting as my career? No.
I did work for 55 years, and in my view, did it all.
If you’re grappling with heading for the sidelines, which is a phrase I like better than retirement, realize there is much out there to enjoy.
Maybe it’s fishing, playing cards, or any of the little things that allow people to relax.
It’s all about mind set.
There have been many phases or chapters in our lives.
This is the next one.
Go with the flow.
Think in positive terms.
Be happy as you can.