Using your Disabilities in Retirement...

It is soon Thanksgiving and what better way of saying thanks than volunteering. Or doing something special for someone less fortunate. It could be something as simple as donating to your local food bank, helping with a church project or my latest thrill was going up to the high school and expressing my desire to volunteer.

Curly and I have been involved with band since we were in junior high. We were blessed with a director, Mr. Schultz, that went above and beyond for his students. Later we went on to high school and enjoyed the marching band, with Mr. Cran.

When I was thinking of retiring, I purchased a new clarinet. My plan was to retire and join the Rice Lake City band. Our life went a different path and now being in Arizona I just don’t find the time to practice. Last week I said to Curly, it’s time….I need to go up to the high school and meet the band director. I sent him an email saying I had wanted to donate my instrument, music, etc. and we arranged a time to meet. I met with him, along with the middle school band director. I had deep appreciation walking into the band room…brought back many memories.

The band directors are new to Fountain Hills this year. After visiting and sharing that we had been Band Booster Presidents for the high school band from Lake Travis in Texas. The response was “Lake Travis is now a 6 A school, they have a great band”. Yes, they do now and it was then too. However, we were there when it was 2 A school, the community support helped this school grow.

After that conversation I came home with a smile, committed that if they would need some additional help for up to a few hours I would be interested in volunteering.

Curly was once president of an organization. His motto was, “if you want to enjoy it you need to become involved”. Volunteer, share a smile or a gift to make someone's life better.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving not just in November but all year through.