Ralph Ellison said that "Education is all a matter of building bridges." So is life.
I thought I knew what my retirement would be like, I had it all planned out. But the world changed, and so did my expectations. Things are not better or worse than I anticipated, just different.
This week I will celebrate a birthday and achieve an age that the Beatles turned into a landmark of sorts. While I sometimes
"...knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds..."
I can, and do, "ask for more."
So I have become a bridge, of sorts: connecting with colleagues via social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Plurk; collaborating on projects in Google Docs; interacting with classrooms via Skype. I use what I've learned over the years and learn what they can teach me, in return.
Together, we bridge the past and the present, and work to create the future. We are fellow travelers on a grand adventure.
And we don't burn ANY bridges, we build them and cross them.
"Humber Bridge" by EOS_3
8 comments:
Wonderful image about 'retirement.' Our connectedness is empowering and exciting.
It's the twists and turns that make life more than simply existing. What you have described is just what I'd expect of you, Diane. It's what I want when I retire in the near future -to be a bridge between the past and present to the future. Thank you for putting it into words.
Thank you, Paul. Sometimes I wish I were just starting out, but then I realize that I have so much more to share now!
Lona,
You will love this modern version of retirement, which is really more a reshaping :-)
Diane - I like your image and the image your words invoke for me when I read this post. I have a feeling that I will be crossing my own bridge this summer, still torn about whether it is time or not, but leaning in that direction.
I will be talking with you - thank you for the images.
Harold
Harold,
No matter how well you think you're planning, life is full of surprises - but often the unexpected twists are the most satisfying ones. Good luck - happy to help, commiserate, and celebrate with you!
Can I ask you where you got the amazing bridge picture and where I could purchase it?
Steph,
This is the link to the bridge photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/26519268@N08/2577678009/ (link is at the bottom of the posting).
If you're interesting in purchasing the image, you'd have to contact the creator via Flickr mail.
Nice information.. Hi dear, This is an nice and valuable post thanks for this information! Visit web development company at
Buy Facebook Likes
Post a Comment