Katrick: Facing the challenges of the transition to retirement
To write this column, I took a decorative mug off of my shelf with the words, “National Tube Division USS, Lorain Works” for some inspiration.
With my retirement from the full-time pastoral ministry in just a couple of days, I can’t help but think of when my father retired after 42 years at U.S. Steel. Dad loved his work, the people he worked with and was very good at it. And he kept up his connections with business contacts, co-workers and friends alike.
But when he was done with it, he was done with it, and stuck to his plans for spending more time with mom, my sister and me and our families. My parents made new friends by packing up their Buick Station Wagon and visiting the churches I served, from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania to Ohio.
They took bunches of day trips and especially enjoyed “birding”, being members of the Audubon Society. One of their favorite places was Crane Creek State Park near Oak Harbor, Ohio.
Like I’ve heard many other retirees say, dad stayed as busy or busier than he was before. And he kept in great shape by cutting the grass, working with mom in her flower gardens, riding a bicycle, walking on a treadmill and playing golf.
Until my father’s health began to decline, these were the happiest years of his life. Through it all, he continued to grow and live into his Catholic faith. Like his dad, brothers and sisters, he attended Mass or watched it on the television. His rosary was always on hand. As always, he spent much time in prayer, contemplation and helping others.
Whenever I’m feeling the least bit unsure and uncertain about this time of transition, I just think of the big smile on dad’s face when we unloaded lumber to build a play set for my kids. I can almost hear his voice saying the same thing he said when we took a break to wipe the sweat from our brows.
“Enjoy your life, son. Do what you love best, and work to be good at it, for the glory of God and for the betterment of those you love.”
That, in a nutshell, is exactly what I’m planning to do in my retirement, whether it’s serving a church part-time, giving and receiving spiritual guidance, writing columns (and reporting on football games), keeping up connections with colleagues and friends, making new friends, or packing up my Toyota Corolla for day trips and for Vermont where my children live.
Just writing about this is already making me feel as busy or busier than I’ve ever been. And if I ever need some inspiration to do any of these things, I’ll take one of my St. John’s UCC, Newark mugs off the shelf.
Thank you, my friends for nearly thirteen wonderful years serving you as your pastor, teacher and forever friend.
Rev. Mark Katrick, St. John’s UCC
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Katrick: Facing the challenges of the transition to retirement
