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THOUGHTS BEFORE RETIREMENT
My first thoughts concerning my own retirement, dates back to the day my parents left the ranch, where they had lived for over 45 years. Dad and Mumsie came to Western Nebraska in 1907, they came expecting to take a homestead but instead, bought what was called a relinquishment, that is they bought the rights of another homesteader. There were several advantages, a good well, a frame house and two barns. A family by the name of Wolff, lived on the place, and years later I met and became a friend of one of the sons, Fred Wolff, who was born in the log house that was on the place.
My folks made the decision to leave the ranch in 1943, when they moved to a home in Crawford. Dad was 75 years of age when he retired, because he could no longer do the heavy work, but he remained active until his death at the age of 88.
Several of Dad's friends had left their farms and ranches, and moved to town, but died within a few years. I have heard him say of them, "They died because they didn't have anything to keep them busy." This statement made me think, he was right, most of them didn't have anything to do, they had no other interests, other than their work on the ranch, and that was over.
Dad kept himself busy with a small garden for a while, but boredom soon set in and it wasn't long until he got in his car, and drove out in the country to call on some of his neighbors. Occasionally one of the neighbors would ask him to bring something from town, such as salt or some feed for their cattle. It wasn't long before he had the idea that perhaps he might make a little money and still visit with his friends He was soon selling livestock feed, salt and mineral and equipment that could be used in livestock care.
At the age of 86 the insurance company would no longer renew his auto insurance, and he had to quit driving, it nearly broke his heart. I remember my mother saying that the insurance agent asked her to tell Dad that he would not be able to drive any more, and she politely replied, "You tell him."
For several years, Dad was top salesman for the company he represented. He was proud of the honors that he received, but when he lost his drivers license, he lost his spirit. I knew then, that when I reached the age of retirement, I must have something to keep me busy.
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Metzger Memories
