I brought a pizza home tonight…….
I imagine your response was, “well, whoop-de-doo!” Can’t say that I blame you, but I have something a little deeper to share about the occurrence….. I know, you’re not surprised, are you?
Here is the back story. I’ve been retired from Nikon since July 1st of this summer. I had a lot of thoughts about what retirement was going to be like, many of them were dead on, but the most important impact on me personally was not so obvious. I knew I was going to enjoy being home more, being with Sherelene more, not being home only to re-pack, for the next mission. What I never expected was I’ve learned what most people take for granted. They build their lives around the best, and most simple things, relationships! Don’t get me wrong, I knew I loved my wife, and I treasured our time together, but it was always on the timer, counting down until I had to leave again. Most of my friends often told me how much they wish they were living my life, I would often think I would trade places with you, but honestly I loved being on my way to big events, air shows, exciting meetings, beautiful, and interesting locations. The thing is I didn’t know what it was like to have “unlimited time at home”! Tonight Sherelene had some charts to do and so she was set up next to the TV doing her charts and watching Kentucky and North Carolina play a big basketball game, to those who cared.
I was in the kitchen watching and episode of American Pickers, that I’ve probably seen before. When I went in to kiss Sherelene and ask how the game was going she was on pins and needles as the lead was constantly changing. She said, “why aren’t you watching the game?” My answer shocked her. I’ve always been a big Kentucky basketball fan, but in the last few years I’ve come to have a completely different attitude about sports, even Kentucky basketball. My answer was as follows; “You see these two teams are going to run up and down the court, and score, and someone will get a little ahead, sometimes they will be be tied, and sometimes be behind one another. Near the end of the game one team will pull away, or it will be close, but when the buzzer sounds, one team will have less points and loose. It’s just a game, why should I sit in front of the TV chewing my nails down to the quick, when tomorrow it won’t matter!”
The important thing will be I’m home with Sherelene, and we did the kinds of things normal people do! I brought home pizza tonight!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
Photo Note: shot with my iPad!
This entry was posted on Sunday, December 15th, 2013 at 12:43 am
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Well said Bill and a problem I need to deal with more. Since 1960 I have been an Alabama fan and I and our son both attended Alabama. At 64 years of age I still make myself and people around me miserable when Bama plays. Over the last few years I have tried but not been too successful to take each game as you do, just a game. Pray as I do every night that I may improve this life long condition and take it just as a game.
It’s tough to kick!
Bill, I can fully identify with you on this. I was a long time police chief in two large cities here in SE Virginia and, as you can imagine, I worked 70 or more hours a week, including weekends, nights, etc. I also traveled extensively for my work. I felt I was almost never home. After I retired, I found the joy of time. Time to continue to learn photography, even after practicing it passionately for 44 years as well as start some long overdue projects around the house. It took me a full three months to “decompress.” I didn’t realize how much the stress had changed me. Over the next months after retirement, my wife’s and my relationship strengthened and deepened. Today, we are closer than we have ever been. Now, we share a lot of experiences tha we were unable to share in the passed. We also have two wonderful granddaughters, just 4 and 1. The two of us spending time with them is invigorating!
I wake up each morning and literally thank God for his blessings. I have been blessed much more than I ever deserved. I have strong faith, a wonderful family, great friends, reasonably good health, rose to the top of my profession, have has the opportunity to mentor several young men and am still the eternal optimist. I have said to many that if I could write the “script” to my life, I would not change a thing. I am eternally grateful for every lesson in my life. Yes, I understand exactly how you feel.
In fact, a pizza would be splendid about now… Thanks, Pilgrim.
Thanks so much for your affirming comments! I also want to thank you for your years of law enforcement service!
I see peperoni on the pizza … and is that sausage or ground beef on there too? 🙂
Bacon and sausage!!!
good insight thanks
Thank the Holy Spirit!
Great perspective on making the most of life’s moments with those we love. Thumps Up! Your love language must be “Time spent”.