Home » Poems » Caren Krutsinger » I Was Never Going to Retire

I Was Never Going to Retire

I was never going to retire. I will be dragged out in a body bag at ninety-two I told everyone. God laughed at my silliness. He made the drive more difficult, harrowing drivers who almost kill me daily. He gave me asthma in the hardest way possible. I took twelve sick days in January and February. God turned my asthma into pneumonia twice. Showing me that I am not the boss of me. I realized that it was time for me to give up my job. I am retiring in twelve days. This means no more forty-five-minute drive each way to work. And I will not have to leave my home in the winter, so that is nice. It took me a long time to agree that this is going to be the best for me. I will be 72 years young on May 31st. Retiring June 1st. It was time. Thank you God.

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Ilene Bauer

Date: 5/10/2024 10:04:00 AM

Congratulations, Caren! The year I retired, I wouldn’t let anyone even mention it to me, feeling like I wasn’t ready and terrified of how I’d fill my time. I loved teaching until my very last day but haven’t missed it at all - and I retired in 2008! Yikes! I hope you have the same feeling…

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 5/10/2024 8:28:00 PM

I have already avoided two retirement dinners because I will not feel retired until August 4th when everyone returns to school except for me. Now, wait! Nine of us are actually leaving one school - two of us are retiring. Funny huh? I was irritated with my body at first for letting me down, but I guess 72 is finally old enough to stop working - I have been working since I was 16.