Page 52 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

Focus
FAMILY

The Wonderful

Thing about "Now"

by Marilyn Garrett

here was a time, toward the
end of my career, that I deeply
Tdreaded retirement, even more
than aging. I loved teaching and being
busy, observing both curriculum and
students take shape and emerge. I
still have some of those old lists, that
I made in the dark of night, of what
I thought I could do with my time at
the other end of a career and raising a
family. Add to that the fact that I was
widowed before retirement, and the
future days loomed long and boring in
my imagination. What a silly idea that
was! Weekly Bible study friend group

I retired at age 68 from a full teaching
career—high school seniors, no less.
I needed a second knee replacement church, getting involved in teaching
and was pretty much ready to crash (of course) and some speaking at
and burn! But while recovering, I conferences.
talked to the Lord about my situation:
I was done with marriage, done with Before I knew it, I was teaching Bible to
child-rearing, done with career, done several small groups; actually, I found
with having more grandchildren (my myself back to weekly lesson plans and
daughter and daughter-in-law assured even teaching on Zoom when I was out
me of that!) and, thank the Lord, done of town. I’ve taught “on location” from
with cooking! I asked the Lord what Iowa and Montana and Alaska; they all
He had in mind next for me, and make lovely backgrounds! I’ve taught
the answer was “People!” And so, I books of the Bible, and books about
opened my door—to family, children, the Bible. My revolving door began
and grandchildren (oops - one of to include one-on-one mentoring—
them took me up on it and moved mainly just a listening ear—and some
into my backhouse); former students “nouthetic” counseling, which is just
and parents of former students and sharing what the Bible says about
friends; and to new acquaintances and a situation. I may not know every
strangers. Clearly, the “job” was an counseling technique, but I do know Former Mentee, now missionary
open door. where to find The Truth. in Colombia.

At first, there were continuing I returned to a full, printed calendar,
recommendation letters to write and trying to hold onto Monday as a day Lubbock, and my fears of boredom
tutoring toward grad schools and off. I’m much less a people person than were but a distant memory.
med schools for recent grads from my all this sounds. (Don’t tell anyone, but
classes. As that waned, the years of my books are my best friends!) Add in I move a little slower now; I cherish the
weddings began. I truly am a wedding two children and spouses, three + two quiet and all the canvasses of nature
cake afficionado; one summer, I grandchildren, all but one of whom around me. I read more (if that were
attended 16 weddings! I reengaged in DO NOT live in Lubbock, two cats and possible) and meditate deeply (likely
a plethora of friends, who DO live in for the first time in life as my pace has

52 Lubbock Senior Link