Transitions…From the Active Duty Members Perspective
Feb 10 2010
It’s been 18 months since my retirement from the Air Force, but the reality of this retirement is just now sinking in. The first couple months of the trip were busy with the actual move back to the USA, searching for and negotiating the RV, and planning our trip. Once we took off, we were consumed with the adventure itself. There were travel routes to plan (many on the fly), destination spots to research, and kids to teach! My days were filled with new and amazing discoveries of our beautiful country, as well as discoveries of my own family—things that I missed when I was active duty. Being together 24 hours a day for 16 months in 200 sq. feet of living space fostered a kind of family intimacy that I had never imagined.
Now as we transition from RV life to “real life” in Colorado Springs, I can’t help but feel a bit lost. The kids are in school, Tom has started his job, and I am feeling role confusion. I have always been an active duty mother—squeezing in motherly duties between the military duties, and relying on my great husband to keep the house together. Now it’s my turn…and it feels strange. Filling out paperwork at the dentist’s office today, I pondered on the line “occupation.” First, I put “retired”. No, sounds too old. Then I put “RN.” But I’m not actually working as an RN. I scratched that out, and put “housewife.” But we don’t have a house yet, and no one would get “RV-wife”. By that time there wasn’t room for “transitioning.”
MC, I can tell you I went through the same thing and still struggle with it. I know I want to do something with my life, but just haven’t decided what it is!!! I think the transition to retired life was delayed for you because of your great RV adventure! Think of this as a transition and that it will take some time to adjust to retired, civilian life. I will share with you my experience of arriving to Colorado when I see you next week. Call anytime–Don is leaving Friday for the weekend so let me know if you want to meet. Paula
Welll MC it is difficult but it is your time to enjoy the things that for 20 plus years you missed. If you have any problems with retirement give Mike a call because he seems to have no problems with retirement at all! First worry about getting settled then find something that you always wanted to do but did not have time.
I did not realize you guys were all settled in Colorado. I will give you a call this weekend. I will miss reading the stories of your adventures on the road but you have many more adventures ahead of you so just enjoy!
You can add writer to the part on the application marked occupation because you are one fine writer.