Five years ago, on March 20th of 2020, I was unceremoniously let go from my place of employment because of the economic conditions caused by COVID.  For me, it marked the end of 40 years working in Corporate America. I stepped into retirement not knowing exactly what the next chapter would hold. Looking back, I can say it has been a time of purpose, challenge, and unexpected joy.

My Mother, Mary

The beginning of 2020 was an anxious time for most of us.  The newscasts were filled with stories of death and illness.  Pam and I were just returning from a family vacation of scuba diving in Cozumel.  My mother, Mary, was being isolated in her room like so many of the other seniors during this time.  The only social connection she was allowed to have was on the phone.  Mary struggled with hearing loss so phone conversations were not a great experience for either party on the line. 

That Friday I called my mom and asked if she would like to move in with Pam and me, now that I had time to care for her.  Without hesitation there was a resounding “YES”.  That weekend I brought my mother to our home and cared for her until the end of her life.  My wife, Pam, continued in her employment, but was a full partner in her care during off-work hours.  My brother and sister-in-law also spent extended time with her in Wisconsin while Pam and I vacationed for our anniversary in July.

Looking back I cannot imagine if I had not made the phone call and my mother was not with us during this time of COVID.  That would be a regret I would have to live with for the rest of my life.  However, now I can see that there was a purpose and a bigger picture.  It was an experience that deepened my appreciation for family and the person who gave birth to me. When she moved from our Wisconsin hometown to Minneapolis, MN back in 2015 I made her a promise that I would take care of her until she was called home by God.  2020 would be her last year on earth and I got to see her almost every day.  Mary was an amazing woman & mother and she passed away peacefully at the age of 98.  I was with her to the end singing one of her favorite songs into her ear as she took her last breaths.

My Brother, John

I also became the guardian of my oldest brother, stepping into a role I never expected but one that has brought meaning to my life.  My brother John was born with polio and had physical challenges throughout his life because of it.  He could always afford to take care of himself and eventually bought a condominium and had savings for retirement.  However that condominium he purchased in the 1980s was not set up for someone that would later have physical challenges with stairs.  He took a tumble and ended up in the hospital and later a nursing home.  Now that he is older he needs some additional help with taking care of himself as well as all the paperwork associated with health care and end-of-life decisions.  I am so happy that I can be there for him.  Copper and I visit on a regular basis.

Being a Parent / Grandparent

Being a parent and a grandparent is one of life’s greatest joys and responsibilities. Raising children means guiding, nurturing, and loving them unconditionally, while grandparenting brings a whole new level of warmth and connection. Our family is growing and Pam and I have four, soon-to-be five children with a wedding in May, and two precious granddaughters. We love them heaps and gobs. There’s nothing better than watching them grow, laugh, and discover the world, knowing we get to be part of their journey. The love we feel for them is endless, and every moment together is a true blessing.

Cooking

I’ve learned how to cook so that my wife, who still works, has a meal waiting when she gets home. I wish I would have learned the art of cooking at an earlier age but Hello Fresh has been a godsend in our family.  For the last two years I’ve been preparing some pretty delicious meals and we have great conversations that allows Pam to decompress and share her day with me.

Volunteering

I have also been more purposeful with volunteering.  I had always volunteered through programs with 3M but now that I have more time, the last four years I have been consistently engaged with AARP as a tax aide each season and as a teacher / leader of Financial Peace University with our church.  I love both.  It warms my heart to help people and I am sure I will continue to add to the list as I become more comfortable with each role.

Giving back as a Christian means embodying Christ’s love through service, generosity, and compassion. It’s about using our time, talents, and resources to uplift others, reflecting God’s grace in our daily lives. True faith is not just about belief but about action—caring for the needy, encouraging the brokenhearted, and being a light in the world as Jesus taught (Matthew 5:16).

Remodeling

I also completely remodeled our home, creating a space that we love and enjoy sharing with family and friends.  Woodworking and home projects have been a passion of mine since I was a teenager.  At one time in my 20’s my dream was to build my own house.  While that has not come to fruition (never say never), having the time AND the tools to completely redo a house with good bones but outdated everything has been a dream come true.  We love having people over and they love staying in the “chambre sur un étang”.  As a bonus we’ve had the backyard upgraded with beautiful patios, stone steps, plantings, music, a dock to the lake, etc.  This year the front yard!!!

West Egg Businesses

On the business front, I’ve kept busy! I launched three businesses—West Egg Consulting, West Egg Inspections and Home Services, and West Egg Wealth and Wellness—all of which I thoroughly enjoy. Even better, they are now bringing in income, which has been a rewarding milestone.  The Consulting was an income bridge after I was let go in March, 2020.  Later the next year I started my own Inspection business which has doubled in revenue and inspections each year since.  My latest venture I discovered my life’s mission in West Egg Wealth and Wellness.  I have found happiness and joy in retirement and I want others to have that same joy in their lives.  Pam and I also want to leave a legacy to our children and grandchildren.  “Creating Your Beautiful Life” was an idea that Pam and I had on one of our anniversary trips.  It is now gaining momentum after one full year of development.

Writing

I also discovered a passion for writing. Over the past year, I’ve had 10 articles published in the Star Tribune, written 122 posts for my West Egg Inspections blog, and 90 posts for West Egg Wealth and Wellness.

Content Creation

Beyond writing, I’ve embraced content creation for the “Beautiful Life” series in a big way: 162 YouTube videos with 15,000+ views 364 TikTok videos with tens of thousands of views and thousands of likes Looking back, retirement hasn’t been about slowing down—it’s been about reinventing, learning, and creating. I’m grateful for this journey and excited for what’s next. Here’s to the next five years!