The first day

Saturday felt like a Saturday. Sunday felt like a Sunday. Just another weekend, in other words. It was rainy, and I slept late and puttered around the house, but didn't accomplish much. I didn't feel retired.

One thing did happen, though. On Friday night I casually mentioned my retirement in a message to the Lazy Daze group that I moderate. Within 24 hours I was flooded with congratulations—and more than that, with invitations. "If you are ever in Fredericksburg, Texas, please give us a call"..."We'd love it if you had time to stop in Clovis"..."I'd love to show you some of my favorite places in Colorado!"

These invitations gave me a warm glow that made the gray skies and drizzle outside seem unimportant. Friends all across the country want to see Gertie and meet me in person! How amazing! Five years ago I didn't know any of these people, but Gertie has opened so many doors to me...I never could have imagined how she'd change my life. Having been something of a loner for most of my life, I just can't get over how welcoming the RV community—and especially Lazy Daze owners—can be. It makes me feel wonderful to know that there are so many places to go and people to see once I get on the road.

The first day when I felt retired was Monday. Monday I slept late and slowly, lazily woke up, thinking "I don't have to go to work today. I don't have to go to work ever!" I lounged around the house most of the day, but it was different from Saturday and Sunday...it felt better. The delicious feeling of luxurious idleness was almost overwhelming.

The weather echoed the way I felt: by a happy coincidence, spring had arrived overnight, bringing balmy temperatures, invigorating breezes and crystal-clear blue skies. The perfect weather lasted almost all week, giving me the feeling that the world had really changed for the better.