My father’s father started out his career as a farmer in the days when field work was done six days a week and chores were done seven. He worked long days with horses on the land that his father had homesteaded. About midway into what would have been a normal working life, the Great Depression hit and a drought swept over the land that they farmed. They managed to hang on, barely, by combining off-farm work that included working road construction. As the country began to emerge from depression he sold his cattle and land at the first opportunity and bought a gas station. He was able to participate in Social Security for the second half of his career and retired with a small check each month. The proceeds from selling his service station and later proceeds from selling a large house and moving to a smaller one got him through nearly a decade of retirement and provided for my grandmother for more than a decade of widowhood after he died.

My father was an entrepreneur. He started out in the aviation business, operating a small town airport, selling and repairing airplanes and flying as much as was possible, flying charter flights, agricultural flights, fire patrol, search and rescue, and air ambulance. When his family needed additional income, he bought a farm machinery dealership while still operating the airport. He grew that business into a feed store, an implement dealership, a trucking company and a leasing company. He envisioned a working retirement and started to pursue projects that did not produce an income in his mid fifties. He still had considerable business interests, but spent less time formally working as he dove into volunteer work. illness cut his life short and the proceeds from his business interests supported my mother through more than thirty years of widowhood. Although my father never collected Social Security, his earned benefits helped to support my mother.

I was fortunate to have a career as a pastor that spanned 42 years and after I retired and took a bit over a year during which I did not work for a salary, was able to return to my chosen profession half time, a pace that supports us and allows a more relaxed lifestyle than the days of working full time. Along the way, I often had additional jobs that I worked to supplement our family’s income. I had a variety of different jobs and was able to supplement our family’s income with free-lance writing and editing among other pursuits.

My grandfather, father and I could all be described as workaholics. We didn’t limit our working to 40 hours a week. We juggled multiple jobs. We relied heavily on our wives contributions to our families and spent a few too many hours away from our families.

When our son began his working career he was careful to build a balance between working and family life. In each phase of his career he had made family and home a high priority. However, as he has achieved success at work, he has moved into positions that require significant hours at the office. Right now his full time job can’t be measured in hours. He needs to bring a certain amount of work home. At home he is juggling a small farm, with chickens and cows and extensive gardens as well as raising four children.

Like his father before him, and his grandfather and great grandfather, our son doesn’t spend much time sleeping these days. Even the days when he doesn’t go into his office begin early and last late.

I am incredibly proud of him and his accomplishments at work and at home. But I also worry that the pace of his life affords him very little time for rest and relaxation. Of course I am not the right person to counsel him on the topic. He knows what kind of hours I worked when he was growing up. Furthermore, I can see how his work and family give meaning to his life and give him joy.

Meaningful work has been a blessing for generations of our family. I have known people who felt stuck in jobs that they did not enjoy. I especially remember an uncle who talked about retirement for many years before he was able to do so. When he turned 65, he retired right away and didn’t miss the work he had done. His son was just like him. It seemed to me that my cousin never enjoyed his job and was talking about retirement from the beginning of his career. He retired as soon as he was able. I, on the other hand, have been blessed by having the work I do being something that I love. I am enjoying being semi-retired and feel very fortunate to be able to have part time work that I truly love. I look forward to going to the church and being with the people. I like to plan my part in worship leadership and enjoy working with the children and adults of the church. I look forward to upcoming events and projects.

On the other hand, I’m getting more sleep than was the case a few years ago. I have time to pursue my hobbies. I’m doing a better job of keeping up with home repairs and yard work. I can see the advantages of retirement. And I know from a lifetime of watching other people that those who are happiest in their aging years are those who continue to be active and continue to work. They may not have a job that produces income, but they discover meaningful volunteer work and remain busy with activities.

Having a job, however, means that I also get the joy of vacation. I’m taking a week off starting today. We’re going to take a little trip, visit family, and do a bit of work on a piece of family property. We won’t be lazing on a beach somewhere. We’re not the kind of people who hang out at resorts. But we’ll enjoy ourselves and we’ll look forward to returning to work after a little break.

Life is good. Work is good. We are blessed.

As usual, as we travel, I am uncertain of access to the Internet. I may not get my journal entries published at regular times during the next week. If you don’t see an entry when you expect it, check back later.