Disability

Trust in the power of prayer! After 20 years of teaching  in a Christian high school, I felt I had to quit because of being sick.  One night, I prayed that God would give me something worthwhile to do. The very next day, without having even heard of the opening, I was offered a part-time job teaching art in an elementary school. While we don't always get such obvious answers, God will guide you to use your talents "for the good works which God prepared in advance for us to do". 

MarineE5 said:

A new chapter in your life

Hondo,

As you turn the page to a new chapter in your book of life, you will not sit idle. I was in your situation several years ago. Worked a lot, had my own business, then cancer came knocking on my door. Business partner quit on me, so business halted. After all the surgery, treatments, my wife got injured, so I became her caregiver for a spell.

After we were both healed up, I wanted to get back to work. I walked into a big box store that sells building material and was hired that day. Now I am retired, but my days are still active because I find chores around the house that I can do according to my energy level each day.

I also volunteer with our Marine Corps League and help the local Veteran's. As I mentioned, you will not sit idle, it's in your blood to stay active and you will. Now is the time to do things that you have put off because you were busy working all the time. It's time for some (Me) time  , you and your wife.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

Tim good luck on your retirement mate. Many colleagues are there at the moment. Invariably a big adjustment then they love it. You've earned this time mate. Regards Gary

Wow Hondo,

Another bend in the road.  Life sure keeps em coming.

As a self proclaimed workaholic I doubt your going to sit in a chair watching the leaves fall.  You will find meaning in the next phase of your life.

Keep moving.

Blessings.

Shirley

Tim I think I understand what you are going through. Disability is different than getting ready and saying good by and often there is a party and you retire. You choose the time and day, that you have worked your whole life for.

Going out due to being disability is not the same as far as your mind is concerned. You didn't pick the time. I went back to work after my surgery and I really felt great, almost invencible. I was wrong and over did it. This is not from the surgery or cancer, it is my emphysema is worse. Had a bad day and my GP sent me to the ER to get checked and have tests done. I'm fine, just breathing has gotten worse. I asked my lung Dr about this and work and he said it would be better if I went out on disability. So I asked what do I put down as expected day to return to work? The answer was, never. I had planed to retire in two or three years. It has taken me some getting use to it. It is the best thing for me I know. It's just I did not pick the day, my illness did.

Now I'm better, and it was the best for me to stop working so I can have and enjoy life. With my lungs I have to try to stay active and must walk everyday and try to build up some endurance, which will take some time but I will get there. It is better for you as well Tim. You have worked all your life and now is the time to enjoy life and not have the stress of work. Just one day at a time, and you will be shown the way. My Mother always said,"God will never give you more than you can handle", he does push the envelope a little close at times, but never over.

Bill

As the door to your work life closes, no doubt you will find a new door to open gently, or to possibly kick in. You’ve have much to be proud of in the way you’ve attacked your cancer journey, now it’s time to dig in to your post-work journey with tenacity, vigor, and a sense of purpose.

One specific suggestion, if I may, would be for you to try your hand at writing. You do it so well. Your commentary is always thoughtful, and your writing is clear, fluid, and conveys a sense of authority. Those are skills not everyone possesses, and all the ingredients necessary for writing.

You could try something inspirational taken from your own experience. You could do some short stories, possibly putting enough of them together to someday become a book. You could write for your own pleasure or share your works with others through various print or on-line media. The possibilities are endless with someone who has the talent and the life experiences, and from your many posts, you have both.

I wish you only the best. 

2015-02-14there's no such thing as real retirement. Before Cancer struck I was doing all the things I had wanted to after retirement age. I always keep myself busy, first thing was to organise my garden, then I had my solid built shed converted into a sewing room and spent time making artist dolls, cushions to sell and take in folks alterations. I joined the art club and photography club, that was a good one it took me out and about to do photography, not on a poxy little phone camera but a top quality camera my brother gave me. We had competitions against each other each month. There are clubs on line I joined one and they had prizes for the best photo, and put your pictures in your own little gallery on their site all for free. I do watercolours. There's always voluntary work for the needy.i know you will fill in your time with worthy causes. We have a Cancer drop in centre its called Maggies in a tree house kind of building, it's in the hospital grounds, the people there give kindly advice and has a coffee kitchen and library, there's little rooms with soft chairs, tables and couches so you can curl up and read. They are volunteers I believe. Youll probably be busier than ever but doing what you want to do. Everyone I know say they've been busier since retirement than before. 

Hondo said:

Hi All

 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me, today they gave me my walking papers so I am now jobless. But through this all I see a blessing because I was able to sign up for disability before they laded me off. My Boss said if I would have waited till today I would have been too late to get the companies long term disability. So no matter what God is turning something bad into a blessing. The only thing I really hate about this is they had to cut my e-mail and cell phone off, but that is ok now I have a g-mail account and just need to let my friends know how too contact me if they need.

 

Take care everyone

Tim Hondo

tim, i'm so glad that worked out in your favor.  i have no doubt you will continue to be busy doing what you do so well, helping others.  i know you will find plenty to do and we'll be seeing a post saying how busy you are.  enjoy your time now that is belongs to YOU!  do what YOU want to do and have fun doing it.  life is not over, its just starting a new and better phase for you.

God bless you, Tim.

dj

Hondo said:

volunteer work

I have always wanted to do some volunteer work in the local Hospital with people or children with cancer, so I will be looking into this. Also being a minister I would love to travel and preach if I had a voice but for now I will have to just continue putting my sermons on my Web-site. I am still young or at lease I think I am and some days I feel that way so I know God will find something for me to do as I see His blessings in all of this. Maybe I can travel and meet everyone here on CSN that would be a dream come true. Thank you all for your kind words and support, one of the many reasons I love being a part of this family.

 

 

Tim Hondo  

Tim, was it your decision to stop working or your company's decision to lay you off? important difference.