I think I went over 70 years without making a single to-do list. I was too busy doing what was in front of me. If I missed something, it was okay. Most times, I didn’t know I messed up because there was no leftover list letting me know what I forgot to do.
No one is forcing me to make lists in retirement, but I strangely find myself with these little sheets of paper, jotting down things I wish to accomplish before the end of the day. It’s a job making a good list. I print rather than writing in cursive. I think it’s more professional in appearance, more authoritative. I put a little star by the jobs that are most important. After each task, I put a little box where I can place a check mark to indicate its successful completion.
Finishing my list makes me feel like I’ve accomplished a big task. I put my list on the refrigerator door each morning so Sherry can see how productive I’m going to be for the day.
Then I go about doing the things I love to do: playing with my four dogs, reading the Wall Street Journal, fixing one of my famous omelets, calling my son and daughter, reading a chapter from my favorite book and on and on.
The day goes by so quickly. I remember there’s one thing I need to do before Sherry returns home.
Sherry is walking up the driveway. I rush to the kitchen and pull my list off the refrigerator in the nick of time.
Another successful retirement day is in the books.