Seven Years

It has been seven years since I retired from my work as an air traffic controller. (I actually worked my last shift seven years ago yesterday.) It doesn't feel like it's been that long. On the other hand, I can't really remember what it's like to go to work everyday. There certainly isn't any kind of seven year itch to get back to it or take on any other kind of part-time work to keep busy doing something. I have rarely even thought of work or anything to do with ATC in the past seven years.

There are only a few old co-workers with which I've maintained any kind of contact. Most of that is just as social media friends. Really the job was what we had in common so it kind of seems natural that we've mostly drifted apart. It's weird that I seem to have more in common with controllers that I never worked with (and some that I've never even met) and maintain Facebook friendships with more than the people I interacted with regularly. 

Life is pretty simple these days. I've become a pretty unproductive member of society. And I'm okay with that. 
When I retired seven years ago, I thought I would have a more active preaching ministry and magic ministry. That didn't really work out. I haven't done any magic in several years and have pretty much grown apart from my old evangelical friends(?). And I'm okay with that, too.
There have been past friends that I've reached out to over the years, but most have moved on and -- like I said, we no longer really have anything more than a shared past in common. I get it. 

I am very fortunate to be able to live out my retirement in comfort. I am very much aware of the privilege of this lifestyle. It is not extravagant, but it is far more than enough. If I were to do that productive member of society thing again, it would be to champion the needs of the less privileged so that we could all live with adequate shelter, decent healthcare, and not have to worry about whether or not they will be able to eat today.

John