Feedback.Q: To me, retirement is a time to ... Work a little, play a little, volunteer a little, R&R a little. And I finally have time for daily Mass. Dorothea Logan Midland, Texas Midland is the county seat of Midland CountyGR6 located on the Southern Plains of the western area of the U.S. State of Texas. As of the 2006 U.S. Census estimate, the city had a total population of 102,073. Do what I want to do. I had very little leisure time during the working years. Name withheld Danville, Ill. Serve my community through wisdom, rather than action. Rich Veit Lake Park, Minn. Ask what God is calling me to do with the rest of my life. Kathy Hart St. Louis, Mo. Prepare for death. Jim E. Berg Rhinelander, Wis. Rest and do things you enjoy but never had time to do before. Carole Heiser New Port Richey, Fla. Enjoy what I worked so hard for. Father Stephen J. Pietrowski Williston Park, N.Y. Keep working in order to be able to afford health care. H. Jon Thomas Painesville, Ohio Painesville is a city in Lake County, Ohio, United States, along the Grand River. Its population was 17,503 as of the 2000 Census. It is the county seat of Lake CountyGR6 and the home of Lake Erie College and Morley Library. Q: The saddest retirement situation I've seen is/was ... When a person works hard all their life but does not live long enough to enjoy their retirement. Florentine Flowers Sand Lake, Mich. When children do not return home to visit their parents. Name withheld Hebbronville, Texas Hebbronville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jim Hogg County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jim Hogg CountyGR6. Someone who couldn't really let go of work and heavy responsibilities. John Ludwig West Des Moines, Iowa West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents. People who moved to Florida to a retirement community where they knew no one then couldn't afford to return to their original location. Name withheld Leoti, Kan. Grandchildren who have no emotional connection to distant grandparents grandparents npl → abuelos mpl grandparents grand npl → grands-parents mpl grandparents grand npl . Name withheld Detroit, Mich. Retiring to the sofa with no interests. Jane McCorkell Mount Laurel, N.J. Q: The best retirement situation I've seen is/was ... Seniors sharing life experiences with the younger generation. Catherine O'Shea Glenview, Ill. My mom and dad, who retired at a young age. As a result they got to do more together before health issues became an issue. Teena Gallagher Galloway, Ohio Galloway is an unincorporated community west of the city of Columbus in southern Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The 43119 ZIP Code, however (which carries a Galloway mailing address) covers a significant portion of rural and suburban western Franklin Religious sisters having a balance of rest, prayer, and work. Glenn Tebbe Greensburg, Ind. When the family is dose despite the distance. Name withheld Layton, Utah Layton is a city in Davis County, Utah, United States. It is named after Christopher Layton, a Mormon colonizer and leader. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,474 and by June 2006 had been estimated at 68,017[1]. A man who, in retirement, found time to serve and enjoyed it so much he became a deacon. After his wife died, he became a priest. Father Thomas Bishop Glenview, Ill. Q: What my faith teaches me about retirement is ... That there is no retirement from being a Catholic. We are called to live our faith to the best of our abilities, at whatever stage of life we are. Margaret R. Ellengold Staten Island Staten Island (1990 pop. 378,977), 59 sq mi (160 sq km), SE N.Y., in New York Bay, SW of Manhattan, forming Richmond co. of New York state and the borough of Staten Island of New York City. , N. Y. Not much is written about retirement in scripture or canon law canon law, in the Roman Catholic Church, the body of law based on the legislation of the councils (both ecumenical and local) and the popes, as well as the bishops (for diocesan matters). , but the example of faith-filled people through the ages, from St. Paul St. Paul as a missionary he fearlessly confronts the “perils of waters, of robbers, in the city, in the wilderness.” [N.T.: II Cor. 11:26] See : Bravery to Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan Paweł II) born Karol Józef Wojtyła , is obvious: Don't quit while there is work to be done. Jack Springer Perrysburg, Ohio Perrysburg is a city in Wood County, Ohio, United States, along the Maumee River. The population was 16,945 at the 2000 census. If combined with the adjacent Perrysburg Township, it would have a total population of 30,558 making it the most populous city in Wood County. Abraham moved in his retirement years! Mary A. Mayer Elburn, Ill. It is not a time to disengage dis·en·gage v. dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing, dis·en·gag·es v.tr. 1. To release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles. See Synonyms at extricate. 2. and focus on myself. Kevin Fuller Grand Island, Neb. It is a stage in my life's journey. As in all stages, we need to listen and respond to God's plans for us. Edda Hackl Chicago, Ill. God comes closer when the constant struggles for earning a living and bringing up a family are lessened. Name withheld Sierra Madre Sierra Madre, city, United States Sierra Madre (sēĕr`ə mä`drā), residential city (1990 pop. 10,762), Los Angeles co., S Calif., at the foot of Mt. Wilson; inc. 1907. There is some light manufacturing. , Calif. God leads, I follow. Same as before retirement. Marie Getty Mays Landing, N.J. The parable of the talents For the novel by Octavia Butler, see . The Parable of the Talents (sometimes just the Parable of Talents) is a parable of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25:14-30). It was told to illustrate an aspect of the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. : Use your skills and blessings for God's work. Name withheld Garnerville, N.Y. I matter--still! Elizabeth Fugate Columbia Falls Columbia Falls is the name of several places in the United States:
General Comments I just don't see how older people can uproot and move to an area they know little about. They should sample it at different times of the year. I was lucky to visit Florida during a muggy mug·gy adj. mug·gi·er, mug·gi·est Warm and extremely humid. [Probably from Middle English mugen, to drizzle; akin to Old Norse mugga, a drizzle. , humid period with a monster overpopulation overpopulation Situation in which the number of individuals of a given species exceeds the number that its environment can sustain. Possible consequences are environmental deterioration, impaired quality of life, and a population crash (sudden reduction in numbers caused by of bugs and pests. Jim Weber Chesapeake, Ohio Retirees' "self-centered" pursuits may actually allow them to find out who they really are--a place where they can finally grow spiritually. Name withheld High Ridge, Mo. Personally, I think traveling and "enjoying life" would get very boring after a few weeks. Alvera M. Sams Findlay, Ohio This article ignores the financial worries of many older people and the poor health of many. It sounds like a highly romanticized vision of retirement, where one is not single, not poor, not sick. Mary Bequette St. Louis, Mo. It seems to me some Catholic churches are not providing incentives to stay in the parish. Old-age groups are largely ignored by transient pastors, except for fund-raising. Edward J. Bonnes Ridley Park, Pa. My grandparents did not move away when they retired, and it was wonderful because, as I got older, I was able to spend more time with them. I will always treasure that. Tara Matthews South Orange, N.J. My parents did not move away when they retired, and they were constantly in my life, like the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond is an American sitcom originally broadcast on CBS from 1996 to 2005. It is one of the most critically acclaimed American sitcoms of its time. . Carolyn Robertson Chicago, Ill. With airplanes, distance is not an issue. My relationship with family is enhanced by telephone (sometimes daily) and e-mail. The quality of the visit is more important than frequency. Janet Herrick Orlando, Fla. Retirees are certainly entitled to do what they darn well please, but it seems to me that much talent is wasted just sitting in a camper or mobile home, when they could be offering their expertise at home. Dan Weber Wanda, Minn. Not everyone leaves an idyllic situation with lots of friends, family, and a close spiritual community. Sometimes there are also financial considerations, such as lower taxes and living costs in another comnmnity. Laurel Wilson Ocala, Fla. Maybe it's true: How we live our lives is how we die--and how we retire. Mary Ann Ronan Phoenix, Ariz. AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. Retired folks who move away are abandoning their communities. Agree 32% Disagree 45% Other 23% Note: Table made from bar graph. Representative of "Other": "It should be the prerogative of retirees to choose their place at sunset," says Gabrielle Corbally, R.S.H.M. of Mount Kisco, N.Y. 2. Grandparents ideally should live close enough to their grandkids to allow for regular visits.
29% Agree.
51% Agree, but it's not
only the responsibility
of the grandparents.
10% Disagree.
10% Other.
Note: Table made from bar graph.
Representative of "Other": "I've seen more grandparents left by their children than the reverse!" says Lois George of Mokena, Ill. 3. After working, raising kids, and serving the community, retirees deserve to spend the rest of their lives doing whatever they please. Agree 46% Disagree 35% Other 19% Note: Table made from bar graph. 4. With all the world's needs, retirees have no business spending years solely in self-centered pursuits. Agree 50% Disagree 29% Other 21% Note: Table made from bar graph. 5. In my retirement, I plant to or I currently:
54% Stick close to home
and family.
26% Travel but maintain
my pre-retirement
home.
5% Live away from my
pre-retirement home.
15% Other.
6. No matter where I live during retirement, I plan to volunteer and help improve the community. Agree 93% Disagree 2% Other 5% Note: Table made from bar graph. KEVIN AXE, a former editor of U.S. CATHOLIC, who writes from Evanston, Illinois. |
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