Interviewing for my Replacement - The Birth of Sanctuary

This is a sign I made for Sanctuary when I first began to implement plans a year ago for partially transforming my townhouse into sacred space for group work and retreats--after I retire.

I had a unique experience today: I sat in on the first of 20 plus interviews for the person who will replace me as Director of Communications at my school. I've been in this position for 14 years with another 15 under my belt in related work. I had thought about this a lot wondering if I would feel intimidated, jealous, judgmental, or bereft. I am leaving voluntarily, by the way. Today's candidate was a young woman better educated to do what I do, but without the seasoning. Surprisingly, I felt extremely objective. I didn't feel threatened at all; in fact, since I will stay on as the archivist two days per week, I could easily see myself working with her. Perhaps I will react differently to other potential replacements, but I don't think so. My letting go of my professional life has been a work-in-progress for the past few years and it has only been this year that I am ready to move on. Life simply doesn't go on forever; everything changes.

But, that brings me to retirement in general. So many of my friends who are already retired tell me how much I am going to love it. I'll wonder why in heavens name I didn't do it sooner. When I was in New Orleans doing a lot of journal writing about retirement, I began to grow very comfortable with the thought of being "unemployed." Since I am a human doing by nature versus a human being, I just need to morph into this new form.

I left management several years ago as I did find I did NOT enjoy being the boss of anybody; it was not my forte. On the other hand, I've started a four-day work week this week and I'll have to be cautious about what I call "wasting time." On weekends and occasional healthy days off, I end up reading, napping, journaling and staring into space a lot. I need a fair amount of structure in a day to be productive (and stave off depression), but I'm so overly structured now that I don't always allow myself to think out of the box.

My retirement dreams include, and this is the first time I've really put them "out there":

Making Sanctuary Center, my homespace for sacred group work and retreat, a reality.

Bringing to reality the occasional spiritual bed and breakfast in Sanctuary Center for women in transition.

Being available to help out with my grandchildren as the familes continue to grow.

Writing some fiction and more poetry than I have time for currently.

Traveling more, especially on the spur of the moment, and especially to visit my aging relatives.

Learning some new software I don't currently know.

Going back to the University to take classes that have absolutely nothing to do with a degree.

And this is just for starters.

I've always said I wanted to die with my boots on, and as long as my health and energy hold, I will undoubtedly be dreaming up projects and being the natural-born organizer I am. Making a difference on some level has always been my hallmark since I was an itty-bitty kid.

The Sanctuary sign is tucked inside my front window right now and soon I will make a strategic plan and draw up a mission statement. And one day before too long Sanctuary will officially be born. So, what do you think?