Authored by BlueAngel on
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Over the next few days, weeks, months and (hopefully) years, I will be trying my hand at putting down my remembrances of years gone by of my life as a nurse (student and RN), Mother and GrandMother. Some, may be, a little too serious and some might be a little entertaining but I hope none will be too terribly boring. None of the "ruminations or observations" will be in chronological order or in any particular order for that matter----that way it will keep you guessing.
I have been told in years past "You ought to write a book", "that would be good enough to include in a book or story"--Well, the ought to be's and the good enough's are here to either entertain or torture you (whichever the case may be).
I do hope that some of the ruminations and observations that have been made by myself will be of value to the reader in some form or another. Well, here goes nothing--as has been heard to have been said.
RETIREMENT:
As a way to introduce my attempt at writing, I thought that I would start off with this particular article which I wrote several years ago for the Medical
Gazette here in San Antonio. The Gazette had a column which was called The Forum. The idea behind the column was to have Nurses from different areas of Nursing to write articles (to be published in the weekly paper) of a subject that might be of interest to themselves and hopefully to the readership. It was a good idea while the paper was being published. I eventually had two articles published which I never saw myself but was told by people who had read them. The consensus was that they were good (nothing like patting yourself on the back).
Retirement is, by definition, is kind of scary and pleasant to think of at the same time. Everyone looks forward to that particular time of life (the so-called "Golden Years") as one of being able to fulfill a lot of delayed desires and dreams because we now have time to do anything and everything. Little do we realize that it won't necessarily pan out as planned. We learn due to whatever frailty we might have (be it chronic illness or the so-called aging process) puts a damper on our most grandiose plans of travel, loafing, learning new things that we alwys wanted or just existing. This is not some great tome but a little tweak, so to speak, to get you thinking of some of the opportunities awaiting you in your retirement.
There are many opportunities for taking courses at some of the colleges and universities in our area at little or no cost to someone 65 and over (on a space available basis with the permission of the different colleges/universities). All you have to do is call the registrars or administrator's offices to find out what their programs are. You would be surprised at the number of senior citizens in our community that avail themselves of these programs. "You are never too old to learn new things" according to the old saying. It can give one a joyous sense of accomplishment. It also keeps your mind alert and active. Who knows, you might actually encourage someone to perform to the best of their abilities and guide them into an area they have never thought of before.
There are different social and health groups that can help you to maintain your health and social skills to your optimum level.They have programs for social gatherings to help you meet and form friendships with people that are compatible with your life style. Some health programs are also available through community programs, HMO's, Hospitals, Health Agencies, Support groups, etc. available at little or no cost to you. You would be surprised at how you find comfort and enbcouragement if you are surrounded by programs that are not "pity parties".
You can keep being a productive person by voluneering your time and skills at something you like to do----like mentoring, telephoning people (person, to person) to check on their well being or using your talents to encourage someone along the way. You, not only, help someone else but you help yourself by keeping your spirit and mind active and healthy.
One of the most frequent problems that we have as senior citizens is depression. It can be from mild to severe. Some of the causes of depression are very predictable like the loss of loved ones, friends, colleagues, and our life's work. Some are not so predictable like the changes that occur "normally" when you are aging. There is still some stigma attached to depression as being mentally ill and most don't want to admit they have depression for fear of being thought of as being "crazy". The symptoms can mimic symtoms of other physical illnesses and can be very difficult to diagnose. Talk with your physician or your health care provider and even a community mental health program.
I think that I have rambled on long enough this go round. Now, it is your turn (both old and young) to offer your comments, suggestions and opinions. I have been retired from active nursing now four a few years after being active in the field since 1953. I have seen a lot of changes---some good and some not so good. It is difficult to remind oneself of age when the mind and spirit is more like that of a twenty or thirty year old than that of a 69 year old. (I am now 72 -- and not much has changed that particular perspective)
Thank you for reading and listening!
Respectfully submitted by Ethel E. Killgore Taylor
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