Saturday, April 20, 2013

A-Z Blog Challenge: R is for Retirement by TJ Marshall


It's that time again!!!  Unwritten and some 1000 other blogs participated last year, and this year looks to be even bigger! Just like last year, I've opened up the blog to host 26 fabulous writers, with each day of the challenge representing the letters of the alphabet from A-Z. I've asked each writer to focus on something that is personal to them, so we can learn more about each other. 

Please check out some of the other blogs in the challenge here: 

A-Z BLOG CHALLENGE 2013


R is for...Retirement
by TJ Marshall

The day after my high school graduation, I woke up to a very stern father staring down at me.  With blurry eyes and a fuzzy head, I sat up in my bed and stretched, yawning away the sleep that still lingered.

“Okay, I’m up.” I said, expecting my father to walk back to the living room and continue whatever he usually did in the morning.  Instead, he stayed; standing like a behemoth, with narrowed eyes as if daring me to move.

“What is it?” I was a bit worried by this time, thinking I may have been caught in one of my many misdeeds.  Although my ceiling fan cooled my room, sweat still found a way to bead against my skin.

He didn’t say a word, only pointed at my lap where five brochures had magically appeared.  I picked them up and read the headings: Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard.

Finally, my father spoke, “You need a ride?”

At the time, I was bewildered and a bit upset that my father wanted me to join the military, and expected me to do it immediately. But if it hadn’t been for his (oh-so-subtle) hint, I may not be the person I am today.

That event took place twenty-four years ago.
Since then, I’ve served in the Army, and for the most part, I’ve loved it. It gave me experience, financial stability for my family, and the knowledge that I can do anything I put my mind to. As the years passed, though, I’ve found myself having more and more difficulty keeping up with the youngsters who join.

So, with my head held high and honor intact, I recently submitted my paperwork to retire from the
Army at the end of March 2014.

With that submission, an old foe appeared, one I hadn’t thought of in over two decades – Uncertainty.  My mind is plagued with it: What do I do next? How do I make that happen? What should I do if my plan fails?  But it all bears down to: how do I take care of my children after I get out?

Fortunately, I do have a plan. I actually have more than one, along with a myriad of contingencies for those if they don’t work out right. I’ve spent countless hours in one briefing after the next, learning how to prepare, and have more scheduled for the coming months. My calendar is full of job fairs, work seminars and resume classes. I’ve bookmarked so many job market websites, I’ve had to create a new folder to hold them all.

Despite the briefings, every mile walked at job fairs, and the countless hours spent browsing the internet; retirement still remains a frightening uncertainty. It’s a nagging, slightly demented, psychopath who whispers disaster in my ear, as it laughs at my futile attempts of preparedness.

Some days, I think it would be nice to wake up with my father standing over me, brochures in hand, and offering a ride. 

****
TJ Marshall is first and foremost a father.  His two youngest girls act as his motivation, muse and at times, proofreader.  He is preparing to self-publish his first novel titled, Finder Tome, due to be released in June 2013.  Most days, when not at work, he can be found in front of his laptop, arguing with one character or another about the next scene he plans to write.


16 comments:

  1. Thanks Mysti, for hosting me. The post looks great.

    ~TJ

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  2. I loved reading this story TJ, it broke my heart some and I could feel and understand why you would be feeling the struggles you are. I no doubt am sure you will be a success because you will always try. That is your strength. This is a wonderful inspirational story of those who never give up. Thank you for sharing it!

    Linda

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda,

      You have been a huge inspiration for me that anything is possible, as long as you work for it. Thank you for your friendship.

      ~TJ

      Delete
    2. Hey there TJ! I am richer because of friends I have like you. Keep going! I can't wait to hear stories of you holding your published book, reading it to your girls. I can imagine their wide eyes, chins in their cupped, woven hands, and big smiles on their faces as they proudly listen to their dad read a story he wrote. How special is that?! I'm excited for you! You'll always have my friendship.

      Delete
  3. I hope my post made it through? I'll check back to see. :) I loved this.

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  4. Hi TJ, all that retirement anticipation gets cold water dumped on it from uncertainties of life. You have a good head on your shoulders, you're a good writer, good things will happen for you.

    My former son-inn -law had the same fears. His knees gave out from years of marching, but he's still with the military as a civilian.

    You did a great job on your post, TJ. You're a natural writer, maybe those $ millions will find you.

    Leo

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    Replies
    1. Leo,

      I'm not certainwhere I would be if I hadn't met you. Your support has been invaluable. Thanks for everything.

      ~TJ

      Delete
  5. TJ, I love this post, especially that last paragraph. It made me cry.

    You are gifted in so many ways, but the gifts that stand out to me the most are the ones you give away selflessly. From the very first day when we first met you've shared your joy, your work ethic, your enthusiasm, your philosophy, your writing, your creativity, your advice with everyone. You build people up and pull people together--what a fabulous gift.

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  6. Von!

    Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the article.

    (Can't wait for F2K so I can be your intern.) :)

    ~TJ

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  7. Hello TJ - An insightful post and how brave of you to just put it out there that sometimes uncertainty does stop us in our tracks when we're planning a richer life ahead of us.

    Will be cheering you on as your books come out! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi TJ - An insightful post and how brave of you to put it out there that uncertainty can sometimes stop us in our tracks as we plan a richer life ahead of us.

    Will be cheering you on as you release your books out into the world! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hey Amelia,

      Thanks for all your support. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

      ~TJ

      Delete
  9. Wow. You really made me think, which in itself is a feat, but you really told a story that speaks, to so many of us. Write On!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ruby,

      I'm glad you enjoyed this story. It was a lot of fun to write.

      ~TJ

      Delete
  10. TJ, That's the problem with retiring so young! Now you have to decide what to do with the rest of your life. But I think the military gave you great training for whatever you do. Whatever that is, I hope you'll be able to continue to write. The world truly needs your stories.

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  11. Hey Mum!

    lol I guess I am a bit young for retirement. But rest assure, no matter what I do after the Army, I will continue to write.

    Thanks for reading and commenting on my post.

    ~TJ

    ReplyDelete

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