Newly retired? My advice for you

Recently I was reminded of why I write this column. I have had several conversations with new retirees lately. They are easy to spot in social situations as they hang to the back of a circle and listen while others talk about their volunteer work, classes and happy hour haunts.

I recall feeling the exact same way at first. What can you contribute to a conversation if you just left your career, your family, your doctors, your friends and everything familiar to you? Before you moved from another state or county, even the checker in the grocery store knew your name.

Most people don’t want to admit they are scared of so many changes that they can begin to feel like maybe retirement wasn’t such a good idea. My advice is to put down your coffee cup and be proactive.

One of the best choices I ever made was to sign up for classes at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Lewes. These classes are held at different times of the day and week, and you can literally feel like you entered college again - only there are no grades and no tests. I felt like an eager college kid again.

The spring session offers classes in categories such as the arts, economics, language, history and humanities, to name but a sprinkling. Amazing Aircraft, Constitutional Law, Birding, Beekeeping or the Balkans: 1453 to the Present.

In 2010, I took Basket Weaving, Song Lyrics - the 1940s to the Present, and The Creative Process. I couldn’t wait to get out of bed every Tuesday to listen to Doug Yetter’s entertaining lectures about Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin who wrote the hits “Easter Parade” and “White Christmas.” I enjoyed learning that Berlin’s 1942 Broadway musical, “This is the Army,” was made into a 1943 film that starred Ronald Reagan and had Kate Smith singing “God Bless America.”

At every class, we joined in the singing of at least three songs while Doug played the tunes on his keyboard. The teachers are amazing volunteers. You can sign up to teach, too!

The spring semester runs from Jan. 30 to April 10, so even though you missed early registration, you can still see if space is available. The summer session is shorter, June 5 to 30. Check it out online at www.OsherLifelong Learning Institute.

For me, having a few things on my calendar each week was imperative to feeling less lonely and to finding friends, too.

I recommend joining the YMCA, or an exercise or yoga class, so you have a reason to get out of your bathrobe. You may get lucky and find a few cyclists in your own neighborhood, like John Amann in our hood who gets everyone organized to bike several days a week, no matter the weather forecast. Rumor has it, he even slows down to wait for new members and rides with them until they are up to speed.

My experience has been to try different activities and to join various organizations and volunteer in whatever capacity I feel comfortable. Every few months, your calendar can be different as you try something that works for you. It took me almost three years before I felt like Lewes, Delaware was my real home. Now I can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else in the world.

Last night I welcomed new neighbors Paul and Kathy to my home. As they were leaving I quipped, “Looks like we’re going to grow old together.” She laughed and said, “Well, it’s a good thing I like you.” Yes, indeed, I like her too.