Today was my first day of the next chapter of life. That sounds weird. I’m a senior citizen. That sounds even more weird! It’s my first day as an ex-professor after almost 30 years (a bunch of us at work got fired). So, I made a list of what I started to do on this first day of my next life…turning the page to the next chapter.

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
― T.S. Eliot

1. I’m trying real hard to stop being mad. Mostly I’m just heartbroken. Staying very busy is the best medicine.
2. I made bacon this morning in a new way. Turned out very well. Maybe another new beginning for my breakfasts??
3. Went to the store for coffee and pickles. What a strange combination?
4. Finally got the rest of those flowers planted. I want to make my realtor friend happy with my progress in the front. I tend to lean toward a more rustic look…
5. Spent some time finishing up my Sunday School lesson hand-out. I wonder how many of these I have left? It’s been 25 years. (In addition to getting fired, I’m planning to sell my house, move away and try to be a full-time grandfather. Leaving behind my home, my church, my friends – heading into the frontier!)
6. Later, I tried to take a nap. I’m always encouraging students to get more sleep. It’s the easiest way to study and remember. Maybe now I can start to rest.
7. I packed up more possessions to give away: old toys, books, pillows, dishes, books, glassware, office supplies, books, clothes, pots/pans, books, tools, jewelry, books, decor, books and more books. All those books really are the stories of my life. Strangers come over in the evenings and weekends and takeaway furniture that I won’t need in my next chapter. The house is getting empty.
8. Staring out the window. They will all get cleaned next week. I’m now looking for a carpet cleaner. Those flower beds out there took up 25 years of my life. Season after season. Freeze after freeze. My wife planted that tree when I was home one summer from a surgery. Look how big it is now.
9. Eating leftovers for lunch. Friends from work took me out to dinner this week.
10. I saw a red finch in the back. I’ve never seen one of those before. Me and these birds… I put out safflower seeds, squirrels don’t like them.
11. Why is everything on Netflix dubbed?
12. I went through a bunch of boxes from my office desk. The last load out. I sorted and tried to combine with what I had here. What memories do I want to save? Why are there so many paperclips and post-it notes?? How did I get all that stuff out of there? One box at a time, week after week…

Tomorrow is another day. Sometimes, late at night, when I’m reading, I flip ahead to see how many pages are left in a chapter. How many pages until the stopping place. Until I can close the book and go to sleep. I wonder how many pages are in this next chapter for me?

“From the end spring new beginnings.” ― Pliny the Elder