ElderChicks

Retirement is wonderful!  I highly recommend it as it opens new vistas to life.
My career was in education  – first a reading teacher at public and private schools, and then an educator of soon-to-be reading teachers at both Arcadia and Widener Universities.  When my husband (who also did the same thing as me) retired full-time, I decided that my time had come.  I wanted to do something totally unrelated to education.  An acquaintance told me that she was a volunteer at Fox Chase Cancer Center, so I filled out the paperwork and had an interview.With a teaching background, an administrative background (I was, at one time) the director of Community Scholars at Arcadia), and a conductor of parenting and educational workshops, I assumed that those talents would be called for.  But, to my amazement, I was sent for an interview to one of the labs – and there I have been for almost 5 years.  I LOVE IT!!!

I do whatever is needed so the employees can work on studies that will limit the spread or eradicate cancer growth.  There is nothing that I do not do when asked; the satisfaction is reward enough for the sometimes tedious or repetitious tasks.  So I highly recommend volunteering for something entirely different from past experience.
In addition to my hospital activities, my husband and I also volunteer usher for the Philadelphia Chamber Music Association – a wonderful organization with equally wonderful employees who provide numerous concerts in Philadelphia.  We also usher for the Walnut Street productions.

Lastly, I am now free to enjoy a book discussion group and return to my old hobby, knitting.  My knitting has taken a new twist; I beadknit necklaces and bracelets which I gave to my relatives and friends and now sell at various venues.

So to all those out there afraid to stop working because there is nothing out there for them, I say – life is out there, just for the taking.  Leave a comment here.

By, Arlene Wartenberg (age 75, wife, mother, grandmother, retired college professor, book/music/theatre/art lover, as well as experienced bead knitter of jewelry and traveler)