What’s Ahead on the Road?

A foggy ride to work this week and I’m wondering what’s ahead on the road just beyond what I can see.  And I’m wondering the same thing about my life.  My employer, Penn State, is offering an incentive for myself and over 1200 of my colleagues to retire.  After a career spanning over 42 years it opens the door for a new adventure.

I guess.

Even though I ride my Vespa in fog and snow I’m not a person who takes risks.  Retirement feels like a big one.  And I don’t really know why other than it brings a dramatic change to a life built on routine and ritual.

Life on Campus

I’ve been parking a Vespa on campus for over ten years.  A lot longer for a cars.  As I looked at the scooter parked outside my office I can’t help but wonder what all these years meant.  Retirement means walking away and not coming back.  Like saying goodbye to an old, familiar friend and knowing it will never be the same.

The financial calculations are complete.  And I have some pretty serious plans for life after Penn State that will keep me busy with things I want to do.  But I hesitate.

I’ll be going for a long ride in the morning to think about the offer and make a decision.  I have six days to sign a letter of intent if I want to take advantage of the incentive offer.  Or keep working and retire down the road.  If I decide to sign the paper there’s no turning back.  At the end of June 2017 I would be a full-time Vespa rider.

Retirement.  That would be a new adventure.