​Should I retire?

​That is the question that has been keeping me up at night for the last few months. I’ll be 69 years old this September, and if I’m being completely honest, I think the biggest reason it’s on my mind is because a good number of my friends and family members are hanging it up. Everywhere I look, people are crossing the finish line, which naturally has me thinking, Is it my turn?

I genuinely don’t know what to do. So, I figured the best way to sort through the noise in my head was to write it all down, put it out into the world, and really think this through. My wife and I have been discussing it at length, and it has gotten to the point where it’s on my mind constantly. I lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering: How do you actually know when it’s time?

The Retired Wife

I don’t have to look far to see what life on the other side looks like. Roxie retired from the LQPV school district two years ago, and she absolutely loves it. To be fair, she is liking it way more than I ever thought she would!

Seeing how happy she is makes a pretty strong case for joining her. She gets out of bed when she wants—no more 5:30 or 6:00 AM alarms. She’s free to come and go whenever and wherever she pleases. During the day, she’s meeting up with retired friends at The Merc or The Pantry, just enjoying life.

At home, she’s been on a mission to de-clutter the house and get rid of stuff. Our upstairs bedrooms hadn’t really been touched since the kids moved out, and I have to give her credit—she has done a fantastic job. Carloads of items have gone to Goodwill.

​But back to my own dilemma. I have to remind myself that just because everyone else is doing it isn’t a good enough reason for me to do it, too. So, to clear the fog, I decided to make a classic Pros and Cons list.

​The Cons (Why I should not retire)

​The biggest thing holding me back is simple: I absolutely love my job at the radio station. I’m having so much fun at work, and honestly, I always have. I love and adore the people I work with. The money is decent, the benefits are great, and I have a wonderful, flexible schedule.

​Selling radio advertising is just fun for me. As a total extrovert, I’m a people person who thrives on being busy and being around others. I love meeting amazing local business owners, hearing their stories, and genuinely helping their businesses grow.

​And then there’s the sports. Broadcasting high school games still gives me an incredible rush. Being around the coaches and the kids keeps me feeling young. Seeing the pure excitement on student-athletes’ faces when they achieve great things is awesome. Going to the state tournament or broadcasting a state championship game? That environment is thrilling to me. I just love it.

Financially, we will be okay if I step away. So that’s not the issue.

​The Pros (Why maybe I should retire)

On the flip side, there is a lot of appeal to the idea of having zero responsibilities. I’ve spent decades needing to be here and there at a precise time, always having the next appointment to get to. Deadlines to meet and daily recordings to do. It would be nice to just… breathe.

If I retired, I’d get to attend so many more of my grandkids’ sporting events and spend real, uninterrupted time with them.

Let’s face it: I’m older now. Approaching 70 means I get tired a bit faster, and I’m slowing down. Some nights, after a  game broadcast, I can’t wait to just get home and sit in my chair. It definitely wasn’t like that in my 20s and 30s! I’m also noticing I’m getting a little more forgetful.

​What Scares Me Most

​Here is the honest truth about what scares me: If I retire, what am I actually going to do?

​I don’t hunt. I don’t fish. I don’t really have a hobby. And that thought terrifies me. Roxie keeps telling me that if I’m going to retire, I’d better have a plan, because I am not going to just sit around the house doing nothing! She is 100% right about that.

​My 50th high school reunion is coming up this July. A good number of my old classmates are already retired, so I plan on cornering them and asking for some serious advice.

​People keep telling me that “you will just know” when it’s time. But right now, the jury is still out. Is it time for me to hang up the microphone, or do I have a few more broadcasts left in me?

Stay tuned.