As I looked forward to retiring, I was clear on one thing: I didn’t want to simply waste away on a recliner. I’d worked in manufacturing and banking all my life. Before that, I’d worked at a motel and grocery store. Every job had involved working with people. That was a very important part of my life. I knew some of those relationships would need to be replaced in retirement. And I looked for two additional things: a way to keep my brain active and learning and a way to put my skills to use in volunteering.
I discovered the Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) at UWGB and studied the class offerings. Many of them intrigued me. My studies in high school and college had involved the “logical side” of my brain. Now I wanted to challenge myself by taking some classes that were foreign to me such as art, music and humanities. LLI offered them all!
I initially chose classes I felt comfortable with, and then I started branching out with art classes. I discovered a side of myself that was new and untested in the creative classes such as art and jewelry making. I learned that I do have a very creative side and enjoyed letting that side show.
I also met people I could talk to, joke around with and add to my list of friends. I met people who worked in various businesses and learned about them as individuals. I found people who are a lot of fun to be around, interesting people who, like me, loved to share a laugh and enjoy life.
Eventually I was invited to be part of the Curriculum Committee—the group that recruits presenters for classes. That was a challenge for me, since I’d never done that sort of thing before. Some classes were already being offered, and I simply took over and kept them on the schedule. Yet, as I drove around the area, I started noticing things I wanted to know more about, and I actually set up a class to learn more about the place or business. I found I enjoyed the work and the people on the committee.
As I continue to move further on in retirement, I challenge myself to try new things, new classes and new ideas. For me, it’s really important that I don’t simply sit and waste away. LLI provides me one way to stay active, learn new things and keep my brain actively engaged.
—By Mike DeGrand, LLI Member & Volunteer