Retirement Chronicles: From Office Attire to Costumes

After 20 years of dedication and a plethora of memorable experiences, I decided to switch out my businesswear and retire from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2009. Looking back, it was quite a ride, filled with laughter, a few tears, and a lot of coffee.

For the first seven years, I found myself deep in the world of Cancer Education. Imagine me, collaborating with an Oncologist to team up students—from wide-eyed high schoolers to eager medical students—in research fellowships. It was like a matchmaking service, but with lab coats and microscopes instead of roses and candlelit dinners. I also dabbled in grant writing for the NIH to fund these programs. Yes, I was the one convincing the NIH that funding our fellowship program was more crucial than their latest project on the mating habits of the Amazonian tree frog.

In 2002, I transferred to Educational Support Services. My mission? To create curriculum schedules for all the schools—from Medicine to Physical Therapy. Picture me as the grand conductor of an academic orchestra, ensuring that every class, lecture, and lab happened in perfect harmony. I genuinely enjoyed working with students before they officially became the professionals we rely on today. There’s something magical about seeing a med student transform from “deer in headlights” to “confident future doctor.”

Fast forward to 2009, and it was time to bid adieu to the bustling halls of the Health Sciences Center. Early retirement beckoned due to chronic pain issues from a failed hip replacement in 1994. Yes, my hip may have given out, but my sense of humor never did. I spent close to 12 years on opioids for pain management—floating through life in a bit of a haze, but at least my pain was manageable. Last year, I switched to an experimental program with Suboxone. While it doesn’t work as well, the silver lining is that I now know what day it is. Trust me, it’s a bigger win than you might think.

Since retiring, I’ve dipped my toes into various activities. I’ve done some acting, crafting, jewelry making, and even a bit of travel. My favorite part of retirement? Sleeping in! Gone are the days of early alarms and rushing out the door with my hair unbrushed. Now, my mornings are leisurely, I don’t care if I’ve brushed my hair, and my coffee is enjoyed at a sane hour.

Retirement may have slowed me down a bit due to health issues and chronic pain, but it’s also given me the freedom to explore new passions and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. So here’s to the next chapter, filled with creativity, relaxation, and of course, sleeping in.

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