Homes: Leaving the old, starting anew
By Jean Kinsey and Frank Busta
At my retirement party, I (Jean) said, “Welcome to my Commencement.” Little did Frank and I know that commencements repeat themselves. Now, Frank and I are commencing a new lifestyle in a senior living community, The Pillars of Prospect Park. Our familiar furniture, books, and art works look different in this new space, but once they were all arranged and could be found, it became home. It feels good, and comfortable, and safe.
The new neighbors are very friendly, the activities non-stop (but optional), and the dining room is open three times a day every day. The social opportunities are particularly rewarding—cribbage, movies, TED Talks, transportation with prearranged tickets to concerts, etc. We brought our respective home offices with us so we can hunker down behind our computers for endless hours if we choose, but we accept the daily challenge of selecting interesting activities. It does take a few weeks to adjust to some new rules, e.g., no candles, new driving routes to our favorite haunts, new faces among the caregivers assisting Frank, and new walking paths.
Move first, sell later
How do you spell relief? SOLD, as it relates to your former home. Before and after we moved, we spent almost every day for over five months clearing out two lifetimes of paper, books, clothes, etc. Wisdom says, move first, sell later. It may be wise, but it is very hard physical work sorting, packing, and hauling selected stuff to selected places. Finding the best place to dispose of specific things is a challenge. Do we sell it somewhere (Facebook Marketplace, auction houses, consignment stores)? Which charity vender should receive our clothes, household goods, and books? A junk hauler and a shredding truck became part of the parade.
Leaving one’s longtime home is both emotionally draining and exciting. Tears flow as you discard memorabilia, say goodbye to beloved neighbors, and drive away for the last time. But the catharsis of right-sizing your belongings, and saving and relocating just the right things, brings a new kind of freedom. It is that freedom that makes the transition exciting. And not incidentally, it is an enormous gift to your heirs.
If you would like to share a first-person account of something meaningful to you, whether it’s a humorous or a sobering reflection related to aging, or a snapshot of what you’re doing in retirement, please send an email to me with “First person” in the subject line. —Kristine Mortensen, editor
News
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: