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I’ve always been busy, which is an understatement. But, I am considerably busier than I was 20 years ago with no end in sight. My brother is 78 and works over 60 hours a week so I know it is in my genes.
All my life has been a roller coaster and I have survived and thrived. I don’t expect it to change all that much, in that regard.
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I feel so fortunate to have made it through some very difficult years and a lot of hard work to reach my 60’s. Would not have changed a thing and have had amazing experiences, good and bad, along the way. But it’s nice to start to lean back a little bit. I will not be retiring to a house in the south of France, but I am beyond grateful for what I have and hope to have many more years to enjoy this chapter of my life.
Rightly said, Carol, appearances can be deceiving. 20 years ago, I was a 12-year-old kid with no idea what life was. 10 years ago, I was a 22-year-old adult struggling with life and the never-ending challenges that it gifted me with. Now I am a 32-year-old mom to a 6-year-old boy, a wise woman who knows that problems will come and go, but we should never forget to live in the moment because moments once gone are gone.
20 years ago I was the mother of a preschooler and in better health/physical shape than I am today. Yet, now, I am content. I don’t suffer from the insecurity of my younger self. I am grateful for what I do have because I’ve seen how quickly things can change.
Do you have a lot of time and a bottle of wine? This could take awhile.
It’s true, you just never know what a person has been through or done or sacrificed to get to where they are. These days I’m happy to be working a four-day part-time week, from home, instead of commuting for a full week to an office. Definitely a different situation for me!
Carol, As someone who is retiring in my late 50’s after a 32 year career, I’m almost feeling guilty about sharing my situation. I worked hard and put money away when it was tough to pay the bills. Now I feel bad for people who can’t retire for another 10-15 years. Your post came at the perfect time. Thursday was my last day. Thanks!!
This is maybe the most perfect thing I’ve read all day. Fabulous.
My life is so different because I was a single woman and not a mother until my forties. I wouldn’t have it any other way and I appreciate the wisdom I’ve earned. Love hearing your stories.
Thanks, Estelle!
I’ve always slogged through life, making my way over obstacles and various hurdles. Currently I’m working through yet another hurdle, one that keeps me at home. From the outside looking in I might appear lucky to be semi retired when in fact that isn’t quite the case.
This is so true. Don’t judge someone without knowing their story first. Or something if you’re looking to buy online stuff.
Amazing post 🙂 Should be read by all .
Hi Carol, I had never heard that opening quote before, but I love it! Very clever. And so true. Especially as you get older and life seems to have gotten itself in order and all your years and years of hard work have paid off, it would be really easy for people to assume that it had been all smooth sailing for you. Just as easy to look at somebody who is younger and think their life is a mess I’m sure, without waiting until the last chapters of their lives to see how they turn it around.