Carolina QuotesI'd served the military with honor and distinction and felt things had gone well as a resuly. And I missed that. The best analogy I can think of is to suddenly cross the finish line after running a three-decade marathon. A marathon where the competition and the camaraderie have you feeling pumped about participating every day. I loved the Army, and I loved my service in defense of my country. Consequently, the first four days after I retired was a little weepy, as well as exhausted as hell. After waking up at four that first morning, I lounged in bed until nine o'clock the next three days. That may sound funny to some people, but to me nine o'clock was downright decadent! I did stop sleeping late, but was a lost soul for a good month after retirement. The void retirement had carved into my existence was almost similar to the passing of a friend or relative. I grappled with sadness and fond remembrances and even a little self-pity.
Clara Leach Adams-Ender Carolinian
Source
p. 237
- work
- My Rise to the Stars (2001)
- year
- 2001
- locator
- p. 237
Cite this record
“I'd served the military with honor and distinction and felt …” Clara Leach Adams-Ender. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-B2244483B1. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/b2244483b1
More from Clara Leach Adams-Ender
There were about 500 folks in the reviewing stands during my retirement parade at Ft. Belvoir. I thought I would experience a rush of powerful emotions and feelings during my last day in the Army, but that wasn't the case. The day was pretty much a blur, to be truthful. One minute I was in the Army, the next minute I wasn't. When my last day finally wound down, following a reception after my retirement parade, I went home and stood in front of a mirror as I took my uniform off one last time. A weary-looking, fifty-four-year-old black woman stared back. "You are retired," I told her. Instead of reacting visibly, she seemed almost indifferent. Hmmpphh! I took my uniform off and hung it up, as I had done thousands of times. Then I went to bed and immediately fell asleep.
1. Whatever you do, do it with enthusiasm. 2. In all relationships with people, relate to them so that they will speak kindly of you, especially when you are not present. 3. There is only one thing in life over which you have total control, and that is your attitude. 4. Always encourage others, especially youngsters. 5. Taking action will cure most fears. 6. Keep your body tuned. 7. Only to the extent that you love yourself can you ever love another person. 8. Possess high expectations of yourself. After all, it is what you expect of you that really counts. 9. You have choices in all situations- whether you like them or not. 10. To not decide is also a decision. 11. Giving service makes you feel better about yourself that you made a difference in someone's life. 12. It is not what happens to you in life that is important- it's how you react to what happens to you. 13. A good sense of humor will help you over many rough spots. 14. Take your work seriously, but never take yourself too seriously. 15. Above all else, be kind.
I'd operated at full-throttle for thirty-four years to push the goals and objectives of the U.S. Army forward. So to wake up one morning and find my appointment calendar totally empty- no brushfires to extinguish or strategic plans to implement- was a truly jarring, discombobulating experience. Not to mention depressing.