And where would that be?  Well, I believe it is Boston Public Library.  Having traveled to the remarkable city of Boston in September of 2005 (and now, this has been almost nine years ago – some of what I describe may have changed), I took the opportunity to visit the Public Library.  Established in 1848, this library was the first municipally supported library to lend books to its citizens without cost.   It was also the first public library system to open a branch library (there is one branch that opened in 1931 and is still being used), and it was the first public library to open a children’s reading room.  The building that now houses the main library is located on Copley Square in the Back Bay and opened its luxurious doors in 1895.  Named after the architect, the McKim building is a national landmark and was designed as a monument to the people of Boston. The building is majestic with its modest elegant exterior and lovely arched windows.  The interior is opulent, by today’s standards, with gorgeous marble inlaid floors, marble columns, huge arches, wide main staircase, and fantastic reading rooms (one with leather chairs).  This building now houses the reference/research facilities, special collections and other offices. There is also a cafe and a restaurant on the first floor.                                                                                                  

The Johnson building, constructed to the rear of the McKim building, is more contemporary and houses all the circulating collections.  These two buildings surround an Italianate courtyard perfect for studying and sipping coffee from the café. During my visit, the place was bustling, people in the reading rooms, people enjoying the wonderful weather in the courtyard, folks using the twenty 15-minute Internet Access computers, people browsing the new book area, people asking questions at the Information Kiosk.  Wow, it was reassuring to see such activity, such interest; yes just one more example of why libraries will live on, and on, and on…..a blend of old and new, of firsts, seconds, thirds….

(Post-script:  I dedicate this brief essay to the Boston Strong effort.  Thank you, Boston!)

In September of 2005, my travel desire took me to one of the most historic cities in our great United States of America, Boston.  I was lucky to have smooth transport and arrived at my temporary home unscathed.  The John Jeffries House is a renovated nurse’s quarters whose nurses assisted in the care of patients coming to the Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  It still serves patients in addition to tourists.  Its location, in Beacon Hill, permits easy access to many of Boston’s sights, whether in walking distance or via the “T”.  So, after settling into my room, I needed a bit of rejuvenation and had some lovely tea in the Common Room of the hotel.

My agenda was going to be full for the next three days.  On my first day, having partaken of a continental breakfast, I waltzed over to the “T” station and became acquainted with its charms.  After several stops, changes and a bit of walking, I made my way up to Bunker Hill where I found the Bunker Hill Monument and the part of the Freedom Trail that led to the USS Constitution.  After a tour on the oldest commissioned wooden ship in the US Navy, lunch was needed – when the delightful repast at Sorelle Bakery and Café in City Square was over, I found my way back to the hotel.  There was still much of the day left, so the Back Bay and locating Boston Public Library was a destination.  The Library’s charming edifice and interior captured my heart – such history (another essay on the library will follow). When this “walk-about” was complete, I headed back to the hotel and a snack of smoked Gouda and wine.  I succumbed to a wee bit of fatigue.

Rested and ready, the next day I was back on the “T”, this time to Boston Harbor.  The place I needed to disembark was under the Old State House, of all places!  Once I recovered from seeing that historic structure, I was on the way to Long Wharf, but I was too early for my Whale Watch Cruise on the Catamaran.   So, I meandered a bit and found myself in front of Faneuil Hall and near Quincy Market.  There was time for some iced coffee and then back to the wharf.  The cruise lasted for about three hours.  The vessel wasn’t that large, and so the swells of the ocean almost affected me in a negative way.  Keeping a tight upper lip, I did get to see some whales from a distance.  Following these sightings, the Catamaran returned to port permitting me one of the loveliest sights – that of seeing Boston from off-shore.  Most lovely!  Near Long Wharf and the Quincy Market, I stopped for a late lunch at the “new” Cheers.  Taking the Freedom Trail back to the Hotel (this is a walking trail), I stopped at Granary Cemetery, walked through Boston Common and found the sight of the “original” Cheers.  Of course, I had to go in – thus, a cold Samuel Adams was consumed.  From there, it was a short walk down a charming street to my hotel.  Following a bit of a respite, I walked over to the Charles River and watched the sunset over Harvard.

On my final full day in Boston, I was ready by 9:30 (past rush hour) and was back on the “T” to State Street to finish the Freedom Trail through the North End.  The trail (interrupted at that time by construction called the Big Dig), led me through charming neighborhoods and past many, many wonderful Italian restaurants – unfortunately, I was too early for any dining.  Paul Revere House was visited – I’m still impressed by the living conditions of our forefathers and what they endured.  The house wasn’t large, but very nice in comparison to many of that time period.  North Church was next – such a chill ran through me as I walked into that gloriously quiet, reverent space.  On the way back to my hotel, I stopped once again at Quincy Market for a wee bit of shopping.  When my feet had rested, I was back on the “T” going in the opposite direction to Harvard.  Harvard Yard is open to anyone on foot, but entrances to buildings required an ID.  However, the Coop Bookstore, near Harvard, was open to all – three stories of books.  It was close to “heaven”, I adore bookstores!  Returning to the hotel, a short nap was needed, then dinner at a restaurant called Figs down the street from the hotel.  My desert, for the third time, was Boston Cream Pie – and may I note that each one had been a bit different, I liked them all!  Quite a nice way to end a busy day.

Day of my return dawned.  Since my flight was in late afternoon, I had time to walk back over to Boston Public Gardens in the morning.  I found the bronze memorial to the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, watched the children play on the ducks, listened to the gentle breeze through the leaves and enjoyed the calm of the gardens.  After lunch, I checked out of my hotel and headed for the airport.  Although Boston traffic has a horrible reputation (especially getting to and from Boston), a visitor within the city proper, can traverse easily.  And so, a visit to Boston should be a must for all Americans! 

The word “retirement” is a word I had resisted using for a long time – and, I do believe I was finally coerced into its use.  When a person feels that it is time to make a change after 40 years in one profession, leaving it becomes “retirement” in the minds of co-workers and friends (and, yes, by simple definition of the word.)  After I turned in my notice and arranged for finances beyond regular employment, people referred to it as “retirement”.  As much and as often as I said it was re-focusing, re-inventing, people would ask: “What are you going to do when you retire?”  True, the timing was that of “retiring”, especially since a pension is being used.  Maybe I dislike the word because of my perceived stigma of its connotation.   Perhaps my beliefs were based on my observations of many others before me who seemed to vegetate and grow stale after leaving regular work.  I did NOT want to be one of those persons, so I resisted calling it “retirement”. 

Before I actually left full-time work, I took an online course to strengthen my proof-reading skills.  I had, and still do, the belief that I could be of service to writers.  Granted, this idea hasn’t been all that lucrative yet – and, truthfully, I haven’t done much marketing.  So, it is still in its infancy.  I haven’t diligently pursued it because I am having too much fun indulging myself.   And, I am horrible at marketing.  While the proof-reading idea is still brewing,  I am doing things I simply enjoy and now have the time to do.  This last year or so has provided opportunities to resurrect old favorite crafts like sewing and other needlework, and do them at my own pace.  Yes, there is definitely beauty in not having to rush.  There are even times I don’t have anything specific to do; I may spend a bit more time watching TV, or I get lost in a book.  Oh, now, I do chastise myself when that happens, because I still do want to be productive and do not wish to be a “couch potato.”  I most certainly want to continue to contribute to this world.  I’m not dead yet.  I do get my chores done regularly (even some bigger cleaning projects); I take care of my home and car - no one, yet, has to take care of me.

I’m really enjoying not having to punch that clock, so to speak.  I don’t miss having to work Sundays or evenings.  I like my schedule; it is mostly up to me.  So, is that “retirement”?  Why?  I think it is a re-birth, a discovery of things one had wanted to be, the lost person, perhaps, that didn’t have a chance before, but now does.  It may be retiring from one thing, but it is moving on to another, it is rejuvenation.  It is doing the things one loves with no guilt, no worry about time.  It is almost decadent.  It is reading with no guilt, going to as many movies as possible, taking line dance classes, traveling (includes visiting wineries), exercising at will, and hosting wine tasting parties.  And, it is contributing, too, teaching, researching, and writing – these are things I’ve done these past two years.  Yes, on the road to re-invention and absolutely loving it.  Because, I’m free, free to be me.

"The only true retirement is that of the heart..."  William Hazlitt, The Feeling of Immortality in Youth.