Thank you for writing this, Dennis. I am 76 years old and my wife of 46 years passed away three and a half years ago. We were very close and I was her caregiver the last few years. It was two years before I could donate any of her clothes and I kept the ones that particularly reminded me of her, such as the duct tape repaired down jacket she wore for walking the dog. Fortunately the dog, who worshipped her, lived until a year ago. He was a live reminder of her and a great comfort to me. I have also found that past relationships have grown in importance and I regularly meet with old work mates and have sought out old college friends. And of course the children and grandchildren have taken on new meaning. For me, I think some of the emotions are brought on by grief and some by the realization that I am closer to the finish line than the starting blocks!
Kristine, thanks for your post! I just wanted to also applaud the Herriot books and PBS series. I read the books as a teenager. My Dad was a large animal vet in the midwest in a dairy area. The books were so true to life. Many of the experiences that were told, I would remember similar experiences from travels with my Dad. Thanks for your work with the animals. Bob
My brother-in-law still farms at age 68. I have gotten to help with the harvest the last few years. It's hard to imagine the stress of once a year gathering your income in about 6 weeks and if you don't have a good 6-8 weeks, there goes your year. He loves being outside, working on equipment, running the equipment and thinking about every aspect of the job, every year. At this stage, he does it strictly because he loves it! And he will miss it dearly when he retires. (And so will I). William, thank you for writing about farming!
Comments
Great review! Thank you.
Post: Smarter Giving in Retirement and the Medicare Gotcha
Link to comment from September 8, 2025
Thank you for writing this, Dennis. I am 76 years old and my wife of 46 years passed away three and a half years ago. We were very close and I was her caregiver the last few years. It was two years before I could donate any of her clothes and I kept the ones that particularly reminded me of her, such as the duct tape repaired down jacket she wore for walking the dog. Fortunately the dog, who worshipped her, lived until a year ago. He was a live reminder of her and a great comfort to me. I have also found that past relationships have grown in importance and I regularly meet with old work mates and have sought out old college friends. And of course the children and grandchildren have taken on new meaning. For me, I think some of the emotions are brought on by grief and some by the realization that I am closer to the finish line than the starting blocks!
Post: I Cry More Easily Now. I Didn’t Use To
Link to comment from August 1, 2025
Yikes!
Post: How do I scam thee? Let me count the ways
Link to comment from July 21, 2025
I think you have captured the essence of retirement! Bob
Post: The Surprising Gift of Unhurried Time: My Retirement Revelation
Link to comment from June 20, 2025
Question, is the AUM fee for Fisher truly 1%+, and do they always use individual stocks? Thank you
Post: Fishing for Feedback
Link to comment from April 18, 2025
Your last paragraph is so important and so true! Thank you!
Post: Giving Advice
Link to comment from April 7, 2025
You are so right! Plans are just plans. I wish you the best with your cancer treatment!!
Post: Never Enough
Link to comment from February 15, 2025
Kristine, thanks for your post! I just wanted to also applaud the Herriot books and PBS series. I read the books as a teenager. My Dad was a large animal vet in the midwest in a dairy area. The books were so true to life. Many of the experiences that were told, I would remember similar experiences from travels with my Dad. Thanks for your work with the animals. Bob
Post: No “Go-Go”
Link to comment from January 7, 2025
My brother-in-law still farms at age 68. I have gotten to help with the harvest the last few years. It's hard to imagine the stress of once a year gathering your income in about 6 weeks and if you don't have a good 6-8 weeks, there goes your year. He loves being outside, working on equipment, running the equipment and thinking about every aspect of the job, every year. At this stage, he does it strictly because he loves it! And he will miss it dearly when he retires. (And so will I). William, thank you for writing about farming!
Post: Do farmers get to retire?
Link to comment from December 20, 2024
Vanguard also keeps a list of the QCDs on their site along with the RMDs, although they can sometimes be a little difficult for me to find.
Post: QCDs: Concerns for First Timers
Link to comment from December 3, 2024