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Health & Fitness

Is There a Farm Girl Under this City Veneer?

With retirement getting closer (five weeks away), the preparation is more work than anticipated, and the volunteer opportunities are extensive, various, and exciting.

I never thought that preparing for retirement would take so much energy!  Santa Rosa Junior College had a lovely reception last week for 37 of us retirees.  That may be one of the biggest “graduating classes” the college has ever had.

My years at SRJC have been a wonderful journey in life, but it is time to try new directions.  As I prepare to leave, however, I have been amazed at the amount of preparation required to retire.

There is the overwhelming paperwork involved with leaving an institution, deciding upon different health plans, notifying Social Security about changes in status, and changing all automatic deposits and payments involved (mostly being “on hold” for hours).  There are the conflicting emotions of leaving people, realizing some people will never be seen again, and facing the unknown future.

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And, of course, there are the parties.  Unending parties.  Almost every event I attend seems to have some kind of congratulatory moment about my retiring.

My personality is often described as an “energizer bunny,” so I have been fairly methodical about testing volunteer options to prevent any boredom in my transition to retirement.  So far, I have been absolutely delighted with the fun and fulfilling volunteer opportunities offered by the Buck Institute.  I also enjoy providing leadership with the Soroptimist International of Novato club that raises funds for the purpose of helping improve lives of women and girls.  Helping make the weekly televison programs on Sounding Board on NPAT is particularly fun filled.  Then, of  course, I also give a few hours each week for clerical assistance at the Novato Police Department.

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But, oh, gosh.  I just received a very tempting invitation to volunteer at the new Tara Firma Farms!  Have you been there yet?  What a lovely addition to our  community! 

My husband and I attended one of their weekend tours and  immediately committed to being a farm member and receiving a box of farm food on a regular basis!  Their special invitation for volunteers, however, asks for tour guides, an accountant, grant writers, fundraisers, event managers, and garden
leader!  What fun! 

I am almost delirious with all the options available to me as a volunteer in this community. Could it be that I am a farm girl underneath all this city veneer?  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me.

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