I have surprised myself this morning. I am up at 6am on the first day as a retired nurse when I could have chosen to sleep much longer, snug and warm under my blankets. My windows are open and the birds have begun their morning sunrise praise, their songs coming from all directions, north, south, east, and west. I rise from my bed and step onto the outdoor deck from my master bath. It is cool and crisp out here, my favorite kind of weather. The white clouds in the east have a rosy glow that cascades down onto Grandmother Tree, and even the wood boards on the deck seems to have a red tint, wet from the morning dew.

My retirement party given to me by my Hosparus co-workers was absolutely amazing yesterday afternoon. A beach theme had been chosen and the decorations had totally transformed the gathering room. Inflatable beachballs were scattered on the floor, beach colored tablecloths were covered with all kinds of food, and a couple of relaxing beach chairs were set up with a beach scene behind them. I even had a pair of sunglasses waiting for me! My co-workers are mostly women and as usual women create with attention to detail. The green sherbet punch had a small rubber Duckie with its own sunglasses on, sitting on its own little float, right smack in the middle of that liquid oasis. So fun! And the frosting on my retirement cake was a beautiful beach scene, including water, sand and a palm tree.

I was gifted the painting above in the photo. “In a field of roses she is a wildflower” it says. I am the wildflower. I think how fitting that is for me at this time of my life. Though I have some idea where I am headed in this next chapter of my life I really don’t know where my dear God will lead me. I do have one hundred per cent faith that wherever I am planted I will grow and thrive. I have plans to plant my own seeds of love and kindness. I tell my Higher Power, “I am here, I am available.” I am filled with the same warm glow I saw in the sky this morning. I have so much I want to do and see and BE. I think of the poem by Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, and the last line: “And miles to go before I sleep”.

Yesterday I was surrounded by such special loving people. Some I had not seen for a few years, some I have seen quite often, and others I will see in the future. I am very much aware that in their own way, each one of these folks helped me get to where I am today. I am so very grateful that I have chosen to retire, that an illness called cancer did not force me to let go of a career till I was ready to do so. I am also aware I have special loving people waiting for me, this ‘wildflower’. They will help me create amazing new chapters for my life. I tell my own future, “I am on my way!”

c   Love, Joan