Focusing on What is Really Important

 

 

My first day of retirement coincided with the birth of my grandson C.J.  Since he was 3 weeks pre-mature, he spent the first 2 weeks of his young life in Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  He came home yesterday to meet his older sister.  Can my 3rd week of retirement start off any better?  Kind of puts things into perspective.  We all worry about many things that don’t really matter in the long run.  But seeing such a little baby finally come home to his loving family is a huge reminder of what is really important in life.

A person holding a baby on a couch AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Last week’s blog was all about retirement income planning.  While I naturally think that is an extremely important topic, I don’t want this blog to only be a financial blog.  After all, retirement is about more than money – or so everyone tells me.  Given that I’m only 2 weeks into retirement, it would be presumptuous of me to portray that I have this retirement thing all figured out already.  But I must say, it’s pretty awesome thus far.  I’ve really enjoyed giving up the nightly ritual of thinking about what time I need to set my alarm.

Back in 1933, a group of “senior” aged men decided to get together here in St. Petersburg to form a softball club.  They each contributed 10-15 cents to purchase equipment.  To put that in perspective, a dozen eggs back then cost $0.27.  Fast forward to today and that club will start its 93rd season this fall.  Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, each of the four teams of players age 50-75 play a 9 inning, modified fast pitch game for 20 weeks.  This 60-game schedule (yes, you read that right – 60 games) is followed by a year-end tournament that crowns the annual champion.  Statistics are kept and accumulated each year.  Amazingly, Norm Perry, a current player has hit 502 career home runs, thereby making him the official Babe Ruth of the league.

 

 

I joined the club during Covid when I didn’t have to go into the office every day.  However, since I was still working, I’ve always been a fill in player that only plays when a team is both short a player and I’m available (which hasn’t been very often).  This year will be the first time that I can be placed on a specific team for an entire season.   



During the summer, players show up for a pickup game during those same 3 days per week.  Despite the oppressive heat, it’s been fun to be able to participate in these games since I’ve retired.  Needless to say, one of the things I’m looking forward to is being a full-time player. 

The most consistent advice I have received from friends that are already retired is to do the things you’ve always wanted to do if only you had the time.  Being a regular player in this historic league is certainly towards the top of the list.

Oh wait.  According to my phone it’s Monday morning, so off to play softball before the storms arrive.  That’s another wonderful thing about retirement.  There isn’t much difference between Monday and Saturday – other than there’s more sports on TV on Saturdays.

 

 

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