“Someone is sitting  in the shade today, because someone planted a tree along time ago.” (Warren Buffet). Now you have time and the World is your Oyster! But you won’t know it at first. In the beginning, retirement can be difficult as you step into the new you. It takes time to shape who you will be next. My advice, step in and out of many doors.  I was eager to start a blog named www.lifewithlarry.org to share  what I have learned over the years and my life experiences with my husband, Larry.  As a mother of three, and grandmother of five and as a former high school teacher, I gained wisdom about how to live a fruitful life.  Being a mentor to the next generation and using my talents and skills have been a priority. Now is the time to spend with grandchildren if you have them or to help children in your neighborhood. Of course, if funds allow, travel. I have reconnected with many through Facebook and Instagram and have visited them personally. While I was still teaching, we connected with Vantage Financial in Arlington Heights, Tom Vislisil, who helped us with a prosperous financial plan for our future.

Now I have the gift of time. Time to develop interests and talents. I love waking up to the sound of birds and being able to have a second cup of coffee. To be happy and fulfilled, it is important to cover the following facets of life: Physical, Social, Service, and Spiritual. It is equally important to combine them as you would a delicious casserole.

Physical/ I love the outdoors so hiking, biking, and skiing are some of my passions. I joined a health club to be able to use weights and as an avenue to meet new friends I have friends now from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico. They teach me Spanish and I help them with their English.

Social/ I started a book club. We meet once a month at Panera. There are 7 of us and we have bonded through our love for books and nature. We have gotten to know each other well. Before the pandemic, we would travel to a WI summer home for two days and hike, bike, kayak, play tennis and discuss our books. I also joined Toastmasters both for social and intellectual enrichment. It’s important to get out of our comfort zone and try new things. Never, say I can’t. I kept my connections with teachers and friends by getting together for coffee. We open our home to others by having potluck dinners with themes like Italian or Mexican Night. I am both an extrovert and an introvert. I love being with people and I try to look at each one as I would an interesting book. What story do these individuals have to tell me? How can I learn and grow as a human being? Yet, I need time to steal away and read a book, a devotional or to play my piano.

Service/ Finding My Passion through Volunteering My first serve was with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes after Karina. It took me 12 times to pound a nail into a wall. But in time, I got better. Then I took my love for playing the piano to the lobby of our local hospital. At first I was very nervous but with practice, I have improved as a musician. I also took advantage of writing opportunities with Compassion and Justice issues and writing clubs. My memoirs have been published in several anthologies and Chicken Soup for the Soul. I’m a Guest Host for a Care Center which has prompted me to learn Spanish by doing a Duolingo App on my phone and Synergy Spanish on my computer. I join my husband and daughter by volunteering for www.humbledesign.org/Chicago. I would recommend trying many service organization to see what suits you best and how you can best use your skills to help others.

Spiritual/-At the age of 18, when I was searching for meaning and purpose in life, I looked up at the sky and told God ” I don’t think you are there: but if you are, please show me.” That night, I met my future husband and became a follower of Jesus Christ. The big change came when my focus was no longer on me, but on helping others. I love reading Psalms, Proverbs, and  the New Testament. There is wisdom about how to live an abundant and fulfilling life in these chapters. Over and over again, I see God’s presence in my life and in the lives of others who have been transformed by Him. God showed his presence to me by answering a prayer. I gave up trying to control my own life and told him, he could have it. It was through His creation, not in a church, that the relationship happened. If you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him—–and your purpose in this life. (Jeremiah 29:13) Just like a snowflake, you are unique in this world and needed by God for the purpose He has for your life. Hold on, you are going to have an adventure.

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I heard a flock of sand hill cranes overhead beaconing the end of winter. I even saw three fox pups frolicking in our yard. Despite the April 14th snow storm, the trees are budding, the crocuses have pushed their faces through the snow and the days are getting longer. Yes, what looked like death is certainly now alive. Nature is such a beautiful picture of the resurrection of Christ. In the background, I love listening to Handel’s Messiah and the song, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”. It is the perfect Easter message.

I am so thankful that Cornelius, a centurion in the Roman regiment, existed in Christ’s time, because he gave us a picture of God’s love for all mankind. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing. But they were not followers of Christ. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. As a result, an angel spoke to him and said, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. He was then instructed to get in touch with Peter who was visiting Simon, the tanner. At about the same time, Peter was praying and had the same vision three times where he was instructed to eat meat that was forbidden to the Jew. He then heart a knock on his door and was instructed to go to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. When Peter saw that God was opening the door to the Gentiles, he said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who reverence him and do what it right. Then he told them the good news of peace through Jesus Christ. As a result, before he finished speaking—the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on them, as recorded by Dr. Luke in Acts 10.

We are thankful to the Hebrews, who faithfully and accurately penned the Old Testament with the prophecies of Christ. (See Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and google the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls for examples.) Also read Acts 10. “You will seek me and find Me, when you seek me with all your heart, “(Jeremiah 29:13.) This is the perfect time to do your own search.

Just like nature is filled with a diversity of flowers and trees, so God has many ways to call his own to himself. Most of us have a thirst for more than this life can offer. We know deep inside that the end of life is not the end. It’s written in our hearts.