Like everyone else, I am trying to shift gears from school year to summer schedule. Unlike a lot of others, I don’t have a yard full of young’uns to ride herd on. I wish I did.
From time to time, we all take stock of where we are and where we are headed. It takes time and energy and talking and – at least for me – a lot of praying. I mean, who wants to start a new project if the Boss isn’t on board with it?
Usually, folks do this at the end of the old year or the beginning of the new year. Either I am a first-class procrastinator or a serious overachiever.
But what has got me thinking is the calendar. On my next birthday I will hit that magic number. You know the one, when the big R comes into view.
And no, I am not going to retire, so don’t dust off your resumes just yet. But what do I want to do with the remainder of my life? Where do I want that to be?
I have children scattered all over the country. Most of them don’t really think it would be all that great to have Mom next door. Except for the ones with children, who think it would be excellent to have another pair of hands, another driver and cook and errand runner.
I’ve lived in most parts of the country, from Florida to Idaho, South Carolina to Nevada. Mountains and oceans, lakes and rivers, snow and sand. And I’ve loved it all, so how can I choose?
And I do not believe my work in Watonga is completed.
Maybe on the day when I can’t find a parking space on Main Street, when the city revenue bucket is full to overflowing, when all the hotel rooms and campsites are booked months in advance.
When there is adequate housing and maybe a nursing home or senior living compound with apartments and tiny homes and assisted living.
When there are more well-paid jobs and plenty of qualified applicants to fill them. When the drug epidemic has left town.
When the Ferguson Home is painted, restored, packed out with visitors and it is supported by a fully funded foundation, not serving as a sore spot with the city government.
When there are engaged, committed members on the city council (we’ve got an excellent start) and the economic development office is the busiest place in town.
So, I’ve got a while. Guess I’d better get started. But I might need a nap during the day.