Where Have You Gone, Joe . . .?

That line from Simon and Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson applies to me on a number of levels.  First of all, my last blog post was way back in the middle of November – nearly two months ago.  Second, 2013 was my first full year of retirement from life as a corporate lawyer.  So where have I been, and how have I spent (or misspent) all that free time that comes with retirement?  I thought this first post of 2014 would be a good time to take a quick look back at 2013.  In my next post I plan to look forward to what I hope to do in the year ahead.  Hey, and it’s actually kind of fun to do this outside of the context of corporate year-end appraisals and goal setting!  So in a weird sort of salute to my past life and corporate drones everywhere, here are my key accomplishments for 2013:

1. Helping my wife – This was my most important accomplishment.  My wife encouraged me to retire early to pursue my dreams, and I promised to help her out in return.  She’s an excellent teacher, and puts her whole heart into teaching.  To help her, I've become an expert at taping things to her classroom walls, filling in charts and correcting papers. 
2. I started a blog – I retired from life as a corporate lawyer to pursue a new life and identity as a writer.  And what self-respecting writer doesn't have a blog?  So on February 25, 2013 I published my first blog post . . . in which I announced that I was starting a blog.  During the course of the year I published a total of 16 blog posts.  The stated goal of my blog was to change the world and be funny.  To date, I've had over 1,700 page views.  The world hasn't changed much, but some readers did tell me they got a few chuckles from reading my blog.
3. I got published – I submitted several articles to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which identifies itself as “One of America’s Great Newspapers.”  They published two of my submittals as Op-Ed pieces in the Forum section of the Sunday paper.  One of the editors called my article on global warming “sprightly,” which was a compliment, I think.  As a writer, I can now brag that I've been published.
4. “Travels with Susan” – My wife and I have vacationed to various places over the course of our 35 years of marriage.  Early on, I started keeping journals of those vacations.  I promised myself that I would copy and edit those journal entries into electronic form someday when I had more time.  In September of 2012 I started this project, and spent a considerable amount of time working on it in 2013.  This travelogue now comprises over 138 pages and 93,000+ words.  If nothing else, this will be a valuable keepsake for our children. 
5. Everybody Wins – During my years in the corporate world, I donated to an organization called Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh (RIF), which provides books to low-income children.  RIF’s goal is to increase literacy by cultivating a love of reading.  RIF sponsors a program which places volunteers in urban neighborhood schools to read with students for an hour each week.  I signed up for the program and am having a blast enjoying books with my second grade reading buddy.  He seems to be having fun too, lending truth to the program’s title, “Everybody Wins.”
6. EfM Graduation – Back in 2009 I saw an ad for a course of religious study called Education for Ministry (EfM).  It involved the study of Christian scriptures, church history, theology, and philosophy.  I enrolled with the idea that I should know more about what it means to be a Christian.  After four years of study, I had more questions than answers, but at least I could say I graduated.  I have a certificate to prove it.  I still may not know what it means to be a Christian, but I enjoyed sharing meals and getting to know my fellow EfM students.  I also enjoyed the wine during our annual retreats.
7. PICT – A little more than 3 years ago, I agreed to serve on the Board of the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, which produces some of the best theater in Pittsburgh.  PICT has a relatively small Board and a very small but devoted staff.  Consequently, PICT’s Board is very actively involved in the organization.  My three year term was up in 2013, but I was persuaded to sign up for another term.  I chair one committee and serve on another.  Overall, I put in much more time than I ever thought I would, but theater always has been a very important part of my family’s life.  I think it is time well spent.  
8. Board of Trustees – For the past 5 years I served on the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.  During that period, I have been Board Secretary, recording the minutes of its monthly meetings and maintaining records of Board actions.  My term expired in 2013.  While I initially believed I was ineligible to run for another 3-year term, I subsequently learned that I could serve one more term.  When I was re-elected at the annual convention, I planned to retire from the Secretary’s position and sort of relax during this final term.  That changed when the Bishop asked me to serve as Board President.  My first act as President was to appoint a new Secretary.  At least I won’t have to prepare minutes.
9. “Anna Breaks A Stick” – Often when I tell people I am a writer, they ask me, “So what are you writing?”  I say “Well, I have a blog, and I also have a few children’s stories that I’d like to see if I can get published.”  “Anna Breaks a Stick” is one of those stories, and I never seemed to be able to find the time to edit it into shape for publication.  Late in 2013, my daughter told me she’d like to read it to her second grade class and asked me to type it up and email it to her.  That was the incentive I needed.  My daughter told me that her class really enjoyed it.  Now I can work on trying to get it published in 2014.
10. Church Volunteer – During 2013, I wrote articles for and edited my church’s newsletter.  I also helped with Vacation Bible School, continued leading our Acolyte program, taught a Confirmation class, assisted with our monthly babysitting program and continued serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister.  I even helped set up the Crèche during Advent.
11. More Time with My Kids – My kids are actually adults, aged 29, 26 and 23.  My daughter got married this summer and lives 300 miles away.  My oldest son lives in New York City.  My youngest son graduated from college and is currently living at home.  During 2013, I made two trips to NYC to spend time with my son and several to visit my daughter.  Several of my blog posts record the wonderful time I had during those visits.  My youngest son and I had fun on many occasions playing disc golf and just hanging out.  If I had still been working, I wouldn't have had that time to spend with them. 

So those were some of the things that kept me busy in 2013.  People often ask me if I am enjoying retirement.  My response is, “Retirement?  I really didn't retire.  I just changed jobs.”  My new job has me working harder than ever, but I am enjoying it more.  I’m looking forward to what 2014 may bring, but that will be the subject for my next post.