It's kind of like making your will and setting your affairs in order. There's a deep sadness to it. I'm sure once I actually retire, I'll find life opening out again -- at least, I hope I will -- but right now, there is a funereal quality to preparing to move.
I have just the two children, and they don't particularly need any of my stuff. I have just the two grandchildren, and while I'm saving a lot of this for them, I'm not sure they'd miss it if I just burnt most of it. But then, I'm not ready to go sit in a single room and stare at the TV, either.
So, I'm believing in life after retirement the way I believe in life after death. I don't know what it'll quite be like, but I believe -- even without evidence -- that it will be good and fulfilling. Meanwhile, I don't want to just sit down and wait for Jesus to do something. I have this picture of us living in the house I have imagined for so long, surrounded by not only the things I treasure, but the people I treasure. And time to enjoy everything to the full.
Lord, may it be so.