Funny thing is, my life didn't actually slow down with retirement, but has accelerated. I've committed to helping my husband with his volunteer work of stream and lake monitoring for the DNR, plus once a month we also collect phosphorus samples from 17 creeks in Dunn and Barron County. Then, add in working/volunteering for the Lower Chippewa Invasive Partnership group, which is an active group that helps educate the public about terrestrial invasive plants & trees. We also have actual work days pulling buckthorn, garlic mustard and tackling a new invasive, Amur Cork trees.
I then have about 1-2 weeks each month of unscheduled work or activities around the house, followed by one week a month in Richland Center, helping my elderly parents.
I posted this particular photo of my parents, Jack & Shirley, because it was a day I won't forget. The day this photo was taken, we had just come back from dad's mid-afternoon oncology appointment at their local hospital. The oncologist told my dad.....you realistically have 6-9 month left before the cancer takes you. Your bladder cancer (of six years) has now moved into dad's pelvic area and the lungs. All I can say is that we left this appointment with heavy hearts. My dad held strong the rest of the afternoon and we decided to go out for dinner at a beautiful place along the Wisconsin River near Spring Green.
During that short time while we enjoyed our meals, we talked, we laughed and we even met some wonderful new people. Can you believe we all three even enjoyed a frosty mug of beer??? Way to go mom and dad, live a little!
But now, it's back to reality. Time is ticking. Dad was finally placed in hospice last week and it has been a flurry for my parents. Lot's of appointments, hospice visits, phone calls, new faces and new decisions to make about the future.
I will continue to travel to Richland Center to help my folks and will anticipate more trips for me in late fall and the winter months. Every day I tell myself I am so lucky to be able to retire early in order to help my parents. I also have to say I am very lucky to have two wonderful sisters that are willing to help as well.....we girls all work together coordinating dates and appointments, phone calls and lots of messages by cell phone or Facebook.
Lastly and ironically, my mother-in-law has also been in and out of hospice for several years now. The end of her life is near for her as well. As they say.....when it rains, it pours!
Thanks for listening and reading.
