Monday, March 17, 2025 – Day 216

Monday, March 17, 2025

Good morning, everybody!

St. Patrick’s Day is finally here after a full weekend of celebrating the holiday, which means by now, you’re out of green outfits, tired of drinking green beer, had plenty of corned beef, or—if you’re one of the newly minted 21-year-olds—probably feeling a little green around the gills. So…happy St Patrick’s Day for the last time this year.

This day always brings a smile to my face. Ten years ago, I was forcibly retired from Mosaic. Well… that’s not exactly true—I quit over a bonus dispute and gave HR 24 hours to process my paperwork. Best decision I ever made. Walking away from a job I dedicated nearly 30 years to was terrifying, especially at 55. I was too young to collect retirement, uninterested in starting over at another company, and absolutely done with weekly flights between Chicago and Tampa. Even as a 1K traveler, those airport lounges lost their charm fast. First-class seats are nice, sure, but everything else about travel? Still sucked.

Looking back on the past 10 years, I can confidently say: no regrets. Retirement has been a blast. Here are just a few highlights:

• Cindy joined the club. My early retirement must have been contagious because she followed suit the same week. Unlike me, she actually stuck around for a couple of months to help with the transition. Always the responsible one.

• I ran for county board. Politics was… an experience. Knocking on doors wasn’t my thing, though I met some great people—some of whom I’m still friends with. Others? Not so much. Let’s just say there’s a special place in my memory for the “mean people” who spewed vitriol. And the dogs. Oh, those crazy neurotic barking dogs. One even bit my sister Lis while she was helping me campaign. That sucked. No good deed goes unpunished (Sorry Lis). In the end, I won a primary but lost in the end to an incumbent and a former board member. Honestly? A blessing in disguise.

• I became a volunteer driver for seniors. I joined an organization called SCVN to drive seniors. Mostly dialysis patients needing 5 AM rides. Perfect fit—I was already up at 4 AM anyway. I met some wonderful people and formed great friendships. Sadly, dialysis takes a toll, and many of them have since passed. That part was tough, but I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. On a positive note…SCVN is helping me navigate my health issues and has been so kind lending me durable medical equipment as my ALS progresses. Thank you SCVN.

• I started volunteering as a tax preparer with AARP Tax-Aide. Ten years later, I’m still at it, and it remains one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. I’ve written about it often, but it never gets old.

• I joined the HOA board. Cindy—who just so happens to be the President—got a free treasurer/secretary out of the deal. It’s kept me busy, and I have saved the HOA a good chunk of money by taking on handyman projects myself. Eventually, I earned the nickname “Ace Hardware,” which I wore with pride. Unfortunately, ALS has taken that away from me, and not being able to help my neighbors anymore hurts. I can still manage the administrative work, but for how much longer? Time will tell.

• I lived out my childhood dream of becoming an organic farmer. Those six years were some of the best of my life. Farming is no joke—it’s rewarding but also incredibly dangerous. I had more near-misses than a cat with nine lives. Somehow, I walked away with all my fingers and limbs intact. Thank you Ron and Cheri for a once in a lifetime experience! Now, if only I could sell the machinery and stop burdening the farm’s owners, who have been endlessly patient with me. 2025 has to be the year for that.

• I embraced travel. Once farming was out of my system (or rather, Cindy made it clear that I needed to stop tracking dirt into the house), we hit the road. Best decision ever. Traveling with Cindy has been incredible—even after my ALS diagnosis. Now we just need to find a way to make it even easier and more fun for both of us.

• Most importantly, I’ve spent more time with family. I’ve been able to see Alex and Nicole—and now the grandkids—far more than if I had kept working. They are truly amazing, and their unwavering support as I navigate ALS means everything. I know they have my back, every single day.

So why share all of this? Because if Mosaic hadn’t messed with my bonus, I probably would have stayed until 65. And if I had? I would have missed out on all of this—on life.

There are too many stories of people retiring and then a serious health issue comes out of nowhere and bites them before they have a chance to enjoy those golden years. These past 10 years have been a gift, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so thankful. I am so blessed.

Have a great Monday everyone.

Love you guys! ❤️