Well, yesterday I celebrated my 65th birthday! Although my two oldest “children” (44 & 43 yrs) were not able to visit, my youngest (Katrina) was and so she, Viv and I spent a great day together. Terry (my oldest) and Tammy both called a talked a long time on the phone and that was nice. We spent some time sitting the the front yard talking and listening to the nature sounds: wind in the trees, birds singing and water trickling down the fountain. Later, we had a delicious meal out on the patio and enjoyed some of the most lovely weather you could find anywhere on earth! Except for a couple of minor interruptions of rain, weather in South Louisiana here has been FANTASTIC for the past 6 or 8 weeks! It has made my construction project more of a pleasure.
Did I mention that I have been remodeling my home? Well, Viv and I tore out the carpet in the downstairs area and installed porcelain tile in the living and dining area. Katrina then came over and she and I installed the tile in the master bedroom.
Then we decided to rebuild the stairwell. That was about six weeks ago. We STILL do not have stairs! <grin> But Katrina has hung in there and, although we have built and tore out three sets of “stair stringers”, we finally have a set that will work properly (I hope). I am trying to build a solid oak stairway and it is a lot more difficult that I ever imagined.
But the entire project has been a great experience. It has been very therapeutic for me. This year is a major milestone in my life. In February, Viv and I began receiving our Social Security checks; Last week was the first time I used my Medicare card; My birthday was yesterday; Today is the celebration of my retirement as pastor of the Agape’ Fellowship Church; and tomorrow is my last Sunday there as pastor – plus it is “Pastor Appreciation Day” at the church. A lot of CHANGES to absorb. But having this work to occupy my mind AND having Katrina to work with me has been a very enjoyable thing. Although I am a bit anxious for the time when I can again get to my upstairs office, I almost want the work to continue.
I don’t believe that I have gotten old yet. I think I may LIKE this retirement thing!!
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About Ray: Ray Waldo is a retired pastor with a passion for sharing knowledge, understanding and (if possible), wisdom with everyone he meets. Prior to his retirement, Ray served as a local pastor, short-term missionary to Mexico, Kenya, Uganda & the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
