My “Practice” Retirement

My last day of school for this year was last Friday.  I spent the weekend like most others, nursing away a migraine and doing as little as possible.  In fact, I was out like a light by 8:30 Sunday evening, never getting to the part of the night where I take the dog out one more time, give both of us our meds, and put us both to bed.  I was out.

This morning I woke up at 5 a.m.  Miraculously, I felt truly refreshed and awake.  That never happens to me anymore.  Ava, the wonderdog, and I went for our walk, and then I walked a half mile in the quiet of the day.  It was lovely.

I had breakfast, did dishes, and blah, blah.  I got more done by 9 a.m. than I usually do in an entire day.  I even fit in a swim around 8 while it was still quiet and less hot.  Then I worked for a couple of hours at school cleaning up.

I had a lovely lunch, visited with my girls, then off for a pedicure.

I relaxed and read when I got home, folded some laundry, and went to Chipotle’s.

This may sound boring to you, but I realized this afternoon, this may be the pace of my life once I retire.  No rushing, no deadlines, a little social life, a little pampering, a little housekeeping.

I had fun practicing today.  And I want to practice a lot so I am a pro at it by the time my real retirement starts someday.

I Can Hear Alice Cooper

Out for summer
Out till fall
We might not go back at all

School’s out forever
School’s out for summer
School’s out with fever
School’s out completely

 

The children have left my classroom for the last time.  It was quiet in there this afternoon.  I still have the report card copies, the lesson plans, and the file folders to prove they were there, but it remains quiet.  The peacefulness of my surroundings reminded me how exhausted I am.  Once the noise and activity stopped, so did my stamina.

I actually look forward to spending time in this classroom this summer all alone to plan, prepare, and inspire myself.  This has been a good school year for me.  The best, in fact, in several years.  I’m starting to think being in a new school, back in my favorite grade has brought back some of the passion I have been lacking in recent years, which led me to want to hit the road and leave my career and my pension behind.

But for now…

No more pencils, no more books, no more giving dirty looks.

School’s out for summer.