It must be a good day.  I had written a couple of posts about some insurance hassles I had been dealing with in the transition to retirement. Apparently my former employer had reported an incorrect end date on my health insurance.  I was trying to make a smooth transition from this company plan to my wife’s employer’s plan, as a dependent spouse.  With the wrong date, I was effectively double-insured.  This was causing a lot of confusion in getting my claims paid.  As a result, I made many calls to get this straightened out, including HR and both insurance companies.  It was a nightmare navigating their voice-command phone systems trying to get an actual human being to address my concerns.  Talk about hassles!

Today I feel that all is resolved.  I was effortlessly able to talk with all three parties involved and hopefully will not have any problems going forward.  It was a good start to a Monday, although I remain leary of future hostility – after all they are insurance companies.  I’m looking forward to this evening as the Cubs play their first game at Wrigley Field since winning the World Series last year.  In the meantime, I’m going to my first Senior Fitness class followed by the chiropractor.  I know that sounds bad, but they are not connected.  They just happen to be in the same neighborhood.  The pharmacy also just called with a prescription to pick up – just another reminder of my age.

I was pleased that Sergio Garcia won the Masters yesterday.  We then watched the Denzel Washington movie, “Fences” to cap off the evening.  It clearly showed why Viola Davis won an Oscar for her performance.  Denzel plays an unlikable character that is bitter and grumpy. It was the way I felt last week dealing with the insurance hassles.  Today calls for some sunshine, so I should be in great spirits.  I’ll be ordering some plantation shutters and some tickets to Moulin Rouge, the two main items on my honey-do list.

How about a poem to start the week?  It’s something I wrote many years ago when life was more of a roller coaster.  Fortunately, that’s not the case today.  I’m as happy in retirement as I’ve ever been!

 

Blessed to Depressed

 

I took a sip

From my golden cup,

Savored the taste,

Life was looking up.

.

Money to burn,

I had it all.

That was before,

I took a fall.

.

Now I’m down,

Each day’s a chore.

There’s no opportunity,

Knocking at my door.

.

I’m a bit lost,

No place to turn.

Hidden within,

Some lesson to learn?

.

Just show me,

Which way to go.

Guide me forward,

A spiritual tow.

.

Blessed to Depressed,

Glad now sad.

Life was good,

Then turned bad.

.

Blessed to Depressed,

Trump to dump.

The road was smooth,

Now one big bump.

.

Blessed to Depressed

Is this some kind of test?

Just give me back,

Some of life’s zest.

.

Blessed to Depressed,

Top to flop.

When will the sadness,

Finally stop.

.

Elated now deflated,

My glow on low.

A lifetime of effort,

With little to show.

.

Blessed To Depressed,

Show me a sign.

That all I’ve lost,

Will once again by mine.

.

Copyright March 2010

Johnstonwrites.com