rinemb - Posted - 08/23/2026:  06:03:43

A week ago Marilyn suffered a TIA. I raced her to the nearby hospital, not yet knowing it was “just” a TIA stroke event. After days of monitoring and testing she was released with 100% physical and mental capacity. With that along with my event last August, I have made a decision. We are in our mid-seventies, and the clock seems to tick faster. I am making one last job later in the week. When I return, I am calling it! It is indeed time to “smell the roses.” If only traveling wasn’t such a PITA to arrange, but we plan to work through the bucket as much as we can. I should have called it years ago!
….,, So, I hope you read this story and learn. I didn’t, in spite of the many prior topics here. Brad

slammer - Posted - 08/23/2026:  06:12:32

Smartest thing I’ve heard in a long time Brad!!!
Enjoy the smell, and so glad to hear Marilyn is ok !!!
I pulled the plug a little over 2 years ago at 62 and no regrets and never looked back. Enjoy life as you well know $hit can happen any time!!!
Slammer!!!

Dean T - Posted - 08/23/2026:  06:24:53

Welcome to retirement Brad! Good to hear that you and Marilyn are back to good health! My lovely bride and I took the plunge, became fully retired, sold our house, and bought a low maintenance condo in NE Wichita, 5 years ago. Best decision we ever made. Lots of time for banjo playing and playing low stress gigs.

Nopix - Posted - 08/23/2026:  06:30:18

You don't want to know what it smells like on my farm this morning. (Getting the neighbors drift)

So be glad you're in Wichita, and your together.  *prayers*

Edited by - Nopix on 08/23/2026 06:30:58

Owen - Posted - 08/23/2026:  07:13:39

Glad you're both well.  You can add my considerable clout [cough, hack, cough] to the "retirement has its benefits" pile. 

[We're at the point where we probably "should" make the a decision like Dean's ^^, but I'm a procrastinator par excellence.  ]

rinemb - Posted - 08/23/2026:  07:26:52

Our 1912 built 2-1/2 story home is not friendly to our age. Any move discussion may wait.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/23/2026:  08:09:26

So glad your wife is okay. That was definitely a wake up call.

After Dave and I retired, we had several years to go to festivals and jams, travel to different places that we wanted to see. I'm so glad we did, as he got cancer and didn't last long. At least I have many wonderful memories.

Enjoy your retirement!

rinemb - Posted - 08/23/2026:  11:22:24

Letting go has been years in the making. By going public it will help me to commit to calling it. It forces me to stick to my guns, so to speak. I hope I don’t chicken out! Brad

Bill Rogers - Posted - 08/23/2026:  16:52:42

First, I’m glad you two are ok. …. I retired at 65, before I burned out entirely. Teaching in a minority-majority high school for 23 years took its toll. I have not looked back.

STUD figmo Al - Posted - 08/23/2026:  17:12:22

Hug to your Wife from me please..

I retired at 55..due to the heart thing..

The good news is I had planned on it all me life..
As the males on me Fathers side along with me brother..offten croaked between 50..n..60

I did no know that I was gonna ..bean it... :0/

I'm dooin fine as of now..in that catogory..

STUD figmo Al - Posted - 08/23/2026:  17:15:46

Heh..as me buddy says...
Well at least your gettin back some of your S.S.... $

1935tb-11 - Posted - 08/24/2026:  05:24:50

i took mine at 62 1/2 and the way it worked out with her mom moving in with us i would have had too anyway... my back is thankful but my pocket book is crying all the time......
but you won't regret it..... enjoy