Retirement

To retire or not to retire! William A. Gray (Letters, Jan. 8) argues for early retirement. I believe that Gray should experience early retirement before writing about it.

After I had worked as a secretary for about 30 years, I decided on an “early retirement.” For about the first year or so I experienced a kind of euphoria--not having to arise at the crack of dawn and drive the 20 or so miles to work each day. However, soon the novelty wore thin (having not much responsibility, practicing procrastination where my household routine was concerned, boob tube viewing, listening to the stereo, and reading a myriad of books).

At about two years into my retirement, my very perceptive daughter (a physician by profession) apparently sensed a state of mind that concerned her. She suggested that it might be a good idea if I obtain part-time work.

I did just that. I do stenographic work in my home, i.e., medical transcription, typing of tax forms for our accountant, typing theses for graduate students, and typing for a writer friend. So now I have the best of both worlds!

ROSE ABBOTT

Redlands