Thanks for this great piece, John -- I'm right there with you! The ONLY reason we moved back to TX after the husband finally retired for good (once from the Navy and once for his "gubment job"), was because our sons and their families were here. They keep us busy and engaged with their friends and families (they all call us "Mom and Dad!"😊), which I love, and it keeps me feeling young, though I'm old -- most of all I feel loved and included (and when I wanna watch "my stories" (not soaps, mostly comedies, old TV shows and such) they leave me the hell alone!)..

The husband plays golf twice a week with a very diverse group of old guys, most of them retired just like him from all walks of life (he refused to teach me, I get it -- everybody needs their own thing). He's the score-keeper and enjoys all the spread-sheet shit (they play for money!) and I enjoy the days by myself to do whatever the hell I want -- or nothing at all! We do cross-country roadtrips a couple times a year and we've been overseas a few times (other than being stationed in the military). I'm content in this retirement thing, John -- hell, I worked for it!. I'm sure you'll continue to too!

By the way, love the Chuck Taylors in the photo! When I was in high school, we used to write our boyfriends' names on the spine -- I've got three pairs in different colors I STILL wear -- though not the high-tops!😊