Funkyjimmer's Blog

Monday, September 22, 2008

posted by jim 9:35 AM 0 comments

I just finished a great book a couple of days ago. It is entitled "Same Kind of Different as Me". It was recommended to me by my minister, who had just completed reading the book. I am sure glad I was retired before I heard about this book and began to read it! I started it and couldn't put it down. I finished it in just a little over 48 hours—which is something of a record for me! I am usually not a quick reader.

One of the unusual things about this book for me is that not only could I hardly put the book down (I read until after 3:00 o’clock A. M. one morning to finish the book!) but even when I wasn’t reading the book I was thinking about it.

Without giving away too much about the book, it is a true story written by two unlikely friends--one, a former share cropper from the South who lived in slave-like conditions for the early part of his life, and the other a white art dealer from the city. Denver Moore finally jumped onto a train out of the South and headed to the city where he would live on the streets as a homeless man for most of his life. Ron Hall was coerced by his wife to leave their upscale neighborhood and begin serving in a downtown shelter. Ron and Denver meet in that shelter and the rest of the story is a record of their developing relationship with each other, their relationship with God, and how they overcome tragedy and discover how God can use two very unlikely men in a very similar way.

Part of the book was difficult for me to read because of recent events in my life but I am so glad that I read the book. It may not be something everyone would read but if you want something to give you an honest look at a part of life some of us hopefully will know nothing about, I highly recommend this book. If you pick it up, let me know what you think.

posted by jim 9:27 AM 0 comments

Monday, September 08, 2008

RETIREMENT PARTIES

Now I feel “officially retired”! I’ve had two retirement parties and 5 actual days in retirement. The days have been busy. (You should see my “to-do” list!) And the parties were great.

The office had a great reception the last week of my employment at Principal Financial Group. They even invited former associates with whom I had worked in that past and many were able to attend. It was great to see everyone and hear all their kind words. We got some good pictures, too.

posted by jim 11:17 AM 0 comments

posted by jim 11:16 AM 0 comments

Last Saturday my three daughters, my son-in-law and my grandchildren put on a great retirement reception for me at our church. They did a great job with everything. I got to see a lot of people and several came from out of town. It was fun to get to visit with so many. Although I didn’t get to spend as much time with some folks as I would have liked. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful experience for me. I appreciate all the words of well wishes I received both verbally and written. And how about these cakes my girls had baked and decorated for me! And I am so grateful to my girls for their hard work. And the day was completed when the University of Alabama football team won! (ROLL TIDE!)

posted by jim 11:13 AM 0 comments

posted by jim 11:07 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

posted by jim 12:37 PM 0 comments

FINALLY RETIRED

It has happened! I am officially retired from the Principal Financial Group. My last day at work was last Friday, August 29th. I officially retired August 31st. Now I am “on my own” – of course with the Lord’s help and the guidance of my financial advisor! I get my last check from Principal this Friday. My team mates at work had a great retirement party for me last Monday. I’ll write about that in a later Post. My family is having a retirement party for me at our church this coming Saturday. I’ll write about that later also.

Some have asked, “How did it feel?” I told everyone who asked, “Wait until next Tuesday.” Nothing was really different until yesterday. I worked a full day last Friday. Saturday and Sunday were regular weekend days and Monday was the Labor Day holiday when most people didn’t work.

But yesterday the television personalities were talking about students going back to school and people going back to work after the Labor Day holiday weekend. And I kept thinking, “Not me!” And it feels great.

Of course it isn’t fair to say I’m not working at all. I had a graveside funeral service yesterday for which I had been preparing. I’ll be working at my church’s Welcome Desk each Thursday morning this month. And I’ll be doing orientation for my part-time work at our local funereal home, studying for—and hopefully getting—my Public Passengers’ license. I have some speaking engagements coming up for which to prepare. And there are many things I want to do around the house and on the computer. Plus lots of books I’ve been putting off reading and DVDs I’ve been putting off watching until I retire. So I plan to be busy.

I think it is going to be great. There will be time to serve the Lord, study His Word, and interact with people via email, telephone and personal visits. And there will be plenty of opportunity to continue to “walk by faith” and continue to trust in the Lord’s provision and care.

A new chapter in my life about which I am excited!

posted by jim 12:31 PM 0 comments