Retirement

My sister, Mindy and I were having a conversation last night. We were talking about kids and what we wanted as far as family goes. Mindy is contemplating on having another child, and the thought looms in the back of my mind as well. I haven't gotten to the point to make a decision yet...which I shouldn't, I just had a baby for cripes sake!
Anyway, the way I look at it is this... What do you want your retirement to look like? Do you want to be relaxing on a beach in Florida with no one to bother you? Or do you want to bug the crap out of your kids and grand kids....live in an RV and stay a week at a time at each kids house. How many weddings do you want to help plan? How many graduation parties to you want to throw? How many times to do you want to say goodbye when it is time for them to move out?
I spent a lot of my life not thinking about the future. I worried about here and now. Which isn't entirely bad, but I focused on myself and who I was...not who I wanted to be. I think the latter is much more important. Who you are now is a direct reflection of who you want to be, but to only think about who you are at the time...well, is pointless. You need to look in the future and picture a life that you would be content in. That is the only way you can set goals. And I am talking ten years down the road. Only looking a year ahead doesn't do much good. Short term goals are good for vacation planning and debt consolidation. But long term goals are the ones you need for lifestyle changes. Picture what you want and your life will follow along...well, for the most part. Come on now, life ain't perfect.
So, my retirement:
For one thing, I can't wait to see what Mark is like as an old man. I think he will be slightly bitter and I will be forgetful. We are going to make such a pair! We have three kids now that might possibly have grand kids. I want to live as close to each of them that I can. I know this is out of my control because...kids do have minds of their own...darn it. But, it is my imaginary retirement...so here goes.
All my kids live within 20 miles of me. I have dinner every Sunday night where the whole family comes. I make chili...or tacos...or something equally as heart warming. Mark and my house will be a bit on the smaller side, but will have room for the giant dinner table, if nothing else. I will always believe that the heart of the home resides in where you eat. I find this very important. Many laughs, stories, and connections are made at the table. Not to mention crafts, projects, reading, games and whatever else goes on when the food isn't there.
I take the grand kids for a week each summer. A tradition my grandma Selleck started and us cousins cherished. And I am sure my parents appreciated as well;)
Holidays will be at my house until one of the kids wants to host it.
More than anything really....I want my retirement...well, really we are talking before retirement as well....I want it to consist of family, relaxing, food and laughter. I want to be able to spend as much time as I can with my family and create wonderful traditions with them. I can't wait to see our kids grow up and develop quirks and habits and opinions of their own.
I love my big family and even though it can be tough with so many people sometimes, I wouldn't want it any other way. I appreciate and enjoy each persons individuality. I enjoy learning from them and connecting with each person.
With each hardship comes a great love and understanding. To avoid the hardships would be to miss out on life itself. I prefer to embrace it all.