Publisher’s Comment: Keeping busy is important, even in retirement

by Rob Wilkins

Retirement. Many of us spend our waking hours dreaming of that magical day. No more alarm clock signaling the beginning of another stressful work day. No more load deadlines, no more paperwork, no more MTO and just plain no more crap!

I admit it; I’m one who does his fair share of freedom 55 dreaming.

The past few months have made me realize just how important it is to have a plan in place for when that day finally arrives. I’ve spent most of my summer staring at the four walls of a hospital room. I won’t bore you with the details but I’ve been told I won’t see any bright lights soon so that’s a good thing. My father has the same problem and he just turned 82.

During my stay at the hospital, I had no less than six doctors. Each was a specialist and as such, had his/her own agenda. Rarely were they in my room at the same time. This presented various discussion opportunities as to what I could and couldn’t do upon being released back into the general population.

My biggest concern and favourite question to each doctor was if they’d let me play golf. Five out of the six said no. The sixth thought it would be all right providing I rode in a cart and took it easy. Of course she was my favourite and her answer was I needed to justify my next tee-off time. Two days after I was released I received a call from one of my doctor’s interns.

Her first words were “No you can’t play golf.” Apparently, a few of them got together over coffee and compared notes. The five quickly overruled the sixth and BAM, my summer took an abrupt change.

No physical activity with the exception of walking was prescribed. No cutting lawns, no vacuuming, no nothing, maybe my time off wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

It started out just fine but I quickly learned that doing nothing can drive a person nuts.

Have any of you seen Jerry Springer these days? You know the show…my husband’s mother’s been sleeping with his best friend’s son, who’s really a girl type stuff.

Where in the world do they find these people and how much do they pay them? Unbelievable.

The time off has taught me that I’m going to need a hobby if and when I retire.

I suggest it’s something we should all consider.

– Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416-510-5123.


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