The face of freedom

Carol and I went for a walk in Forest Park this afternoon and then stopped for tea on Thurman Street and talked about how wonderful it is to be finished with our careers and free to pursue what we love.

Carol worked her way through college and held a high-pressure job in management and fund-raising for non-profit organizations; she reared two sons, most of the time as a single mom; and for the past decade she has lived with a loving partner to whom she’s deeply committed. But only since she retired has she known the luxury of growing herself into the woman she wants to be. She’s reading stacks of books on psychology and spirituality, she has created her own art studio, she takes her camper van out for long hikes and retreats in the country, and she has meditative walks with her dog.

She says, “I find myself thinking about substantive issues and mysteries of the universe instead of bureaucratic nonsense. And time painting canvas instead of painting my face.”