You made me think about my own experience in retiring which I never really put into perspective.

I was very much involved in my profession 'til the day of retirement came. In retrospect my active days in practicing medicine were exciting, fulfilling and truly wonderful. When they did terminate, it was due to circumstances which weren't exactly anticipated and a bit unsettling, but I was extremely fortunate to transition into a full-time academic professorship which gave me 10 years more of pleasure, fulfillment and productivity.

I even wrote a book( that, modesty aside, was judged the best medical book of 2001). I loved the fact that I had full control over whatever I chose to do, could travel, could teach whatever I wished, and had the grey hair to impress the (very impressionable) younger students and colleagues.

I also had time to retrospect. I got out of medicine at the right time (for me). I was still pretty good at what I did, and had not reached the time of life (as so often happens) where colleagues (behind my back, of course) would say "He was pretty good IN HIS DAY". I could never practice medicine today as I think it should be practiced.

I also have had time to realize how lucky I was. I had great teachers and have come to appreciate how much I owe to so many of them. Only recently did I really appreciate one to whom  I owe so much, my Father. He was not an outstanding scientist nor innovator, but he was a really good Doc, and the prime exemplar of one who really exuded enjoyment at being a physician.

Now that I'm really retired I read, sleep late, enjoy reasonable health, and enjoy that I am fortunate in having very good kids with whom I spend time at their homes, mine in Boston, and ours in Maine. I'm still up and about and visit friends when I'm not online reading the NY Time, Washington Post, Haeretz, The Guardian, El Ahram or Figaro.

And so time goes by.

*To get to other postings in this series, go here and check out the right hand column.