By Kathy Hendricks
Dolores Curran was a prolific author and popular speaker. Her work spanned several decades and her writing on family and parenting garnered several awards, including a Christopher Award for her book Traits of a Healthy Family. Dolores was also a cherished mentor and good friend. Her syndicated column, “Talks with Parents”, ran for three decades in newspapers around the country. Because of the enormous trove of written material, I once asked if she thought of collecting some of it in a “best of…” collection. “Absolutely not!” she replied. She went on to emphasize how she had no interest in continuing to write or give any more keynotes, workshops, retreats, or seminars. Her main interest in retirement was to quilt and to spend time with her grandchildren.
I recall being flummoxed by her response at the time. After all, it would have been a wonderful cap to a long and successful career to publish a compendium of her work. Now that I am in a similar position, I get her point. It was not exactly burn-out but a desire to move on with a new purpose in life. It was as if she was saying, “I had a good run and now it’s time for something else.” That something else was a true passion for something she loved doing – creating quilts.
When I was an undergraduate, I had a self-made poster in my room with a quote from the 18th century poet, Joseph Addison. It read, “The three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” It’s curious that I found this so engaging while still in my early twenties as it resonates so strongly in my “still blooming” part of life. Like Dolores, I don’t have much interest in writing more books – especially after completing my latest one, Grace in the Wound: Finding Hope in Long-Term Grief.* Given that it was a long-awaited project now complete, I am ready to move onto something else. I don’t quilt but I do crochet. I cherish time spent with two lively grandchildren, even when they wear me out. I read and watch British mystery series. And I still have a writing project that has been on hold for way too long – a children’s book on seeing the world around them with the help of Ron’s beautiful photography. So there is still something to do each day, which lends purpose to my life. And for that, I am both happy and grateful.
Response by Barbara Anne Radtke
Kathy, thanks for raising the theme of purpose in our “still blooming” years. In our conversations, I often hear the joy you find in a life centered on Addison’s essentials.
In talking to friends, I have heard varying levels of contentment about finding a purpose after a career and raising a family. For some, sensing a shift in purpose has been the motivation for retirement. For others, they only discover their focus after they have begun to shape their retirement years -- and they may have some false starts. Finally, I have encountered people who struggle to uncover meaning in later life. Locating this center of self seems more than a matter of how we use our time. As one friend, who excelled in her career field and had looked forward to pursuing a number of sewing crafts, astutely commented: “I have plenty of projects, but I cannot seem to grasp that sense of purpose.” At the time of this conversation, she was, indeed, a seeker, actively searching for a missing ingredient to integrate her daily life.
Regardless of where we find ourselves on this journey of centering of self, we provide a valuable witness: those of us who are sure inspire others to be courageous; those of us in whom this new focus is emerging inspire others to be pay attention to what is stirring within us; and those of us who are restless in their seeking inspire others to continue to challenge ourselves and to grow.
* Grace in the Wound: Finding Hope in Long-Term Grief
While there are a multitude of books about the immediate aftermath of death and loss, very few cover the long process of grief and the grace that can unfold with time. The book looks at both as well as the impace of unresolved and/or unacknowledged grief.
The book is now available from Twenty-Third Publications - http://www.twentythirdpublications.com/grinwonehoin.html
It is also available through Amazon.
Still blooming, still growing, and all the other descriptors that imply we are not stagnant encourages me to continue to pursue so many interests but how to choose? Discernment sounds very formal but how else can I determine what is likely to be fulfilling.
It was wonderful to read the description you shared of your current journey. I know you will always have more insights to share and I love to learn that you and Ron will once again collaborate on one more much needed project. How wonderful for us all!
Kathy, your words resonate in my heart. Just today someone asked me to get back into something I used to do. My reply was, in so many words, a polite 'no' - that it is time for me to do something else. While flattered that someone thought I did such a good job, in my heart I finally feel that it's time to do something else. And reading your words today confirms it. There are so many other things to explore -- from the beauty of the morning songbird to the peace of the evening sky.
Funny how timing is everything.
Peace to you and to Barbara
I spent the last 20 years of my career (thanks to Barbara!), ministering to others. Books were not read, plants were not nurtured and grandchildren were born.
I am satisfied that I made a difference in the lives of others, planted the seeds of systemic change that will allow others to bloom, and contributed to an organization that used my talents and vision until the mission evolved. And then I knew it were time.
Now I can read, contribute to the organizations that I want, enjoy the family with more time that is available, and wash my hands regularly from the dirt that is nurturing the plants that I grow.
And the bread I am now able to back is…