Since my 70th birthday recently, I have found myself looking back and reflecting. I noticed that I was thinking about my life in decades, so decided to share my thoughts here.
The Teenage Years
All I remember about being a teenager, was hating school and loving my after school and holiday jobs. I worked in the milk bar at the corner of our house after school and on weekends. During the Christmas holidays I always took a position at our Coles store. I can remember my first day, when I was fourteen. I had my fingers crossed that I wouldn’t be in the lollies and chocolate deparment. Remember when these were sold loose and scooped into a bag? I’m not sure why I didn’t want to work in that department, but, of course, that is where they put me, and I worked there for the next few years until I finished school. This job was from 9 till 4, when I was picked up by my parents, and taken to the milkbar to start the night job. I didn’t realise at the time how hard I was working, but looking back, I do remember feeling exhausted and fainting a couple of times, as I wasn’t having proper meals.
My Twenties.
At the beginning of this decade, at almost 21, I was married. It seems so young to think about being married at that age, but I suppose it was different times, and wasn’t at all unusual our friends.
First mortgage
Started our business when I was 23, and operated it for the next 30 years.
My much loved grandfather passed away.
My three children were born in my twenties.
We moved house twice.
My Thirties
This was my busy decade. The children were growing up and I was working full time in our business, and also driving them to ballet, sports, swimming lessons etc.
We moved house three times.
Became qualified as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, and managed the local gym for a few years. I was very lucky that I could combine the gym work with the work in our business. This was the early days of working from home, though we didn’t call it that.
At the end of this decade, our house burnt down. This was very traumatic, even though we were insured. Despite the trauma we were able to buy another house and start living again.
My Forties
My daughter, Lisa, went to Japan as a Rotary exchange student when she was just 15. I spent much of this time worrying about her and wondering if she was ok. In those days there was no email for quick and regular contact. Rotary, worldwide, do a wonderful job of caring for their exchange students, so there really was no need to worry.
My grandmother, who I was very close to, passed away.
While Lisa was in Japan, my son was killed in a car accident. There are no words to explain this time in my life.
We moved house one more time.
There was more overseas travel in this decade than in my younger years
My Fifties
Our son took over our business and I had my first attempt at being retired.
This is the decade that I was divorced. My marriage breakdown was unexpected, and difficult to come to terms with. I moved to Bendigo to start a new life, and to get involved in their cycling culture.
My three grandsons were born during my fifties.
Two short attempts at semi retirement in my 60s.
I applied and was successful at getting a position in a similar industry to our business, and worked there for a few years until it was time for a change.
In my late 50s, I began a new relationship, which is now the highlight of my life. I’m happy to say that I’m very happy and life is great.
Also in my late 50s I bought a cafe, after never having worked in a cafe. It was certainly an experience, but one that I loved. After a few years, I sold the business and presumed that this time I was now retired. Surprisingly, it wasn’t long before I was offered what I called my retirement job. I loved this job and stayed there for ten years.
I moved three times during this decade of my life.
A few more overseas trips
My Sixties
This decade began with me walking the Camino de Santiago, to celebrate my 60th birthday. I did this alone, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my life. I still look back on it in wonder.
There were three more moves during my sixties.
At age 69, I applied to our head office for a different position. I was very surprised to be successful and went on to really enjoy this job, even though the days were long, and included almost two hours of driving to and from work each day.
Almost one year later, I decided that I was ready to retire.
There were three more house moves during my sixties.
My Seventies
My Seventies decade is a work in progress. I am now six weeks into my 70s, and so far so good. I’m enjoying being retired, but I still feel like I’m on holidays. I’m sure that will pass in time. I’m loving being the only boss of me, and being able to do whatever I want to do, whenever I want to do it.
The Best Decade
It makes sense now, to decide which was my best decade. I thought this would be impossible, or at least difficult, to choose. However, after writing about my decades, I have no hesitation in choosing my thirties as my best decade.
My children were becoming teenagers. and lots of fun. After the hard work we did in our twenties to start a new business and buy a family home, the thirties, were cruisy really. I was working hard at my gym job. As they say “when your job is doing something you love, you never have to work a day in your life”. I loved my job and though I worked long hours, it definitely didn’t seem like work. At the time, I was still working after hours, on the business side of our business.
This post is linked to the Wednesday Words & Whimsy linkup hosted by Min from Write of the Middle
Also linking this post to Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
A great retrospective look. I would say I am probably not surprised at the divorce. Did you know that after the death of a child the divorce rate is 80%. My best friends daughter died at the age of 3 from cancer and I learnt that then. They are still together but I have seen many other friends and acquaintances get divorced after that traumatizing event. I am so sorry for your loss. Life is so difficult at times. How cool that you have changed directions in your work a few times and held in there for a long time (again not that unusual for divorced women to have to work longer).
That was such an interesting read, Jennifer. You've certainly faced some challenges but you've overcome them all. I admire your resilience and how many times you've moved which is not for the faint hearted. It sounds like you've definitely earned your retirement and I hope you enjoy the Jennifer Time!