Retirement . . .

Am I really old enough to retire? I don't think so. What would I do with myself? I'm not even really thinking about retirement (although I probably should be), but these questions hit me hard this week when my sister (who is two years YOUNGER than I am) told me she was retiring from her job at the Library. She has 30 years in and just thought it was time. Retirement . . . I'm not sure what to think. She is planning on getting another job, but she can do what she wants to do since she'll have the retirement check coming in every month, the new job is gravy. It's for paying off the house and the car so she and her husband can travel around the country. Am I jealous? Hell yeah. Am I sorry I didn't get a government job and spend 30 years there so I can retire instead of spending 28 years in private law firms and many years before that as a construction secretary? At times. Would I rather be doing anything other than what I'm doing? A lot! BUT then my passionate self takes over and I know that although my job is stressful, frustrating, even downright ridiculous at times, I really do love what I do. Other legal secretaries and paralegals think I've lost my mind. Maybe I have, but my job is also rewarding, challenging, and we have fun with each other. Would I like for it to be just a little less stressful, frustrating, and ridiculous? Yes. This is when I start to feel like retirement may not be so far away. I am getting older (I guess I have to admit it since I have six grandchildren and I remember my grandma was ALWAYS old!) and I won't be able to go at this frenetic pace I seem to keep up for another 18 years!! Goodness help me! So for now, I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing and trying to find ways to enjoy my life on the side before it all passes me by and find small ways to quit being the one who is always available, always willing, and always wanting to please them all that the people at work have come to expect.