For Retirement
This is where you life has arrived,
After all the years of effort and toil;
Look back with graciousness and thanks
On all your great and quiet accomplishments.
You stand on the shore of a new invitation
To open your life to what is left undone;
Let your heart enjoy a different rhythm
When drawn to the wonder of other horizons.
Have the courage for a new approach to time;
Allow it to slow until you find freedom
To draw alongside the mystery you hold
And befriend your own beauty of soul.
Now is the time to enjoy your heart’s desire,
To live the dreams you’ve been waiting for,
To awaken the depths beyond your work
And enter into your infinite source.
John O’Donohue, “For Retirement,” To Bless the Space Between Us, 2008
I have tried umpteen times to format a post using parts of this poem, one gifted to me by a dear friend and colleague twelve years ago on my “retirement.” It appeared as a Facebook memory last week, June 30, as had photo memories from my retirement party that last week in June. I concluded I was pushing the river and so have included the entire piece, in a manner more typical of my Friday blog, together with my posted response:
“Twelve years ago, I had a remarkable career with Edmonton Public Schools. I made wonderful friends. It was my “love made visible.” Hopefully, this current chapter writing poetry will bear similar fruits. Thank you for the memories.”
Within weeks of saying goodbye, I’d launched a new website, and – parlaying my talents, honed skills, and cherished relationships – a private consulting practice. For another seven years I made visible my love supporting leaders, hosting group conversations that mattered, and teaching The Circle Way. Then, government budget cuts and Covid-19 and “poof,” my career ended. Then, I truly stood “on the shore of a new invitation to open my life to what is left undone.”
These have been a few weeks’ worth of memories…professional…personal with the anniversary of Annie’s passing and the joyful arrival of Walker and last week’s simple celebration of our 44th wedding anniversary at a favourite cafe…last year’s preparation for my first long walk in Italy, now to be followed by another this September. Memories that invite reflection and confirmation that I make it a practice to be regularly “drawn to the wonder of other horizons.”
Writing poetry, my consciously chosen next chapter, invites me to “befriend my own beauty of soul.” And because how I’d been able to shape my career allowed for the same, I still miss it. I always said I had the remarkable good fortune to work with people who I loved and cherished and knew they’d felt the similarly about me.
I’ve certainly cultivated a new approach to time. Alongside a slower pace – one enhanced by walking – we live a quiet life and marvel at Walker’s ability to accommodate.
Lately I’ve noticed how my once attraction to life’s “hoopla” has given way to noticing, marking, and often passing over the myriad opportunities for engagement “out there.” Quoting Leonard Cohen, “I ache in the places I used to play.” And while this can be literally – like the ache after a night of dancing a few weeks ago – what I really mean is the tender bit of heart ache, grief even, in finding myself drawn to the still and quiet, letting go, or might it be entering into my infinite source?
Much love and kindest regards, dear friends.
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A Wabi Sabi Life 
Beautiful. I’m entering the same stage of life ….
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Thank you…and like any major threshold a pastiche of feelings. Congratulations.
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Dear Catherine,
I’ve followed you for several years, since one of your trips I believe, and so deeply felt your questions and loved your sharing of your journey.
Would you mind sharing the tour company (or whatever) that conducts walking tours in Italy such as you’re doing this fall?
Thank you,
Carolyn Corcoran
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Thank you, Carolyn. In Italy, I walk with Pilgrim Paths, a trekking company from Sandy Brown, a guidebook writer for Cicerone. I worked with Portugal Green Walks for my “supported” Portuguese Coastal Camino. Buen Cammino.
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Thank you, Carolyn. In Italy I walk with Pilgrim Paths, a touring company from Sandy Brown, a Cicerone guidebook writer. I worked with Portugal Green Walks for my “supported” Portuguese Coastal Camino. Buon Cammino.
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I have just found your space this morning after an interesting conversations it’s friends about wabi sabi. Your words are so thoughtful. I also find myself less interested in the hoopla of life and drawn to making creative “marks” on my days.
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I’m so happy to hear from you, Juliann. Thank you for your affirming response. I tend to post Mondays and Fridays. Maybe I’ll hear from you again. Kindest regards…
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I love your sentiments, Katharine. Retirement was much harder than I thought it was supposed to be. I felt like I was in mourning for when I thought I would be celebrating. This was compounded by hearing stories from staff and parents about how unhappy they were. I had put my heart and sole into my work but felt only guilt for leaving my school behind. I found joy in supply teaching and being with the kids that I had grown to love. Don’t get me wrong, on those cold winter days when traffic was a mess, I was happy to stay home and enjoy a slow morning. It seemed like the things I had to focus on created a new kind of stress, but at least I did have the time to deal with them now. This spring I finally found some happiness with the move to our Happy Hideaway. The work of cleaning, painting, fixing, and yard work partnered with taking my dogs on long walks through forest trails has been like food for my soul. Fixing up this little place has been very satisfying. Thanks for reading. I just had a need to share. I love reading about your adventures, enjoying your beautiful and often thought-provoking poems, and admiring your amazing photographs. You have always been an inspiration to me. You still are. 💜
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Thank you and it’s wonderful to read your journey through this unfamiliar territory to your heart’s home in the woods. Many of us are reluctant to speak of retirement’s losses and griefs preferring to focus on the sunny side when actually both are true. I appreciate you sharing yours. Much love and kindest regards.
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