The absolute best thing about being retired (four years
this month!) is the gift of time. I’ve been using it for catching up on house
repairs, decluttering, recharging my body (worn out from years
of those letter carrier walks), and of course, focusing more on reading and
writing. New writing projects still get relegated to first thing in the
morning—just like when I was working. That way I’ve done the hardest part
first.
I read an article by Joy Kowaga in TWUC’s Write
journal, the other day, where she referred to the word philoxenia, which she had used in a convocation address at
University of Victoria. It means, ‘openness to newcomers,’ and is the opposite
of xenophobia.
Reading that reminded me of another thing I thoroughly
enjoy about retirement: volunteering with immigrants. Being the first born of
an immigrant family, I relate to some of the challenges and emotions of
starting over. Currently I’m helping out in an EAL (English as an additional
language) class with students who are at the beginning of their English study.
What a warm, enthusiastic group of learners. I really appreciate their energy.
The other day we worked in small groups trying to make
conversation about what we like about spring. (We’ve had unseasonably warm
weather this past week.) One woman (from Somalia) said she liked the clouds.
Why? Because clouds bring rain and she loves to dance in the warm rain of
spring.
Ah. Spring. Yes, it’s just around the corner. But these
are the prairies, and first we have a snowstorm coming our way.
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