As many of you know, I started my quilting business a little bit before I retired to make sure I had something to do during my ‘retirement’. I love quilting. However, I think I was affected by all the people who told me they won’t retire until they are 67, 70 or never, because they can’t imagine what they’d do with their time? They, allegedly, just see a world of boredom. While I never saw that, it did make me wonder if maybe I didn’t understand something, the reason other people were going to work well into their dotage. Maybe they knew something I didn’t know? So, I decided I needed a small business to make sure I had some structure…and I do enjoy small business. However, I kept trying to make the business bigger even when I was totally enjoying the size it was. So, I am reducing the size of the business.
One reason I retired fairly early was because there are so many things that I like to do, that I didn’t have time or energy to do while working in a stressful environment with long hours. And while I have planned my retirement well into my 90’s, I don’t think that there is any guarantee that I will be healthy enough to do everything I want to do in my ‘retirement’. The longer one waits, the older one gets, and the greater the chance of illness. I really worry that people will retire late and be very sorry they waited so long. Now, keep in mind I’m talking about people who can afford to retire, but won’t, not those people who have no choice. I’ve bumped into other retirees who are also mystified by people who will belittle ‘retirement’ and retirees as if it means a brainless, sedentary life. That’s hardly the case. I don’t have enough time to enjoy all that I want to do and learn. And the longer I’m retired, the more I enjoy it! But to each their own…
I have been very upset recently with the terrorist attacks and the affect they have had on the position of refugees here in the USA. The horrible, angry, fascist rhetoric from certain political figures or candidates are frightening and I think it is becoming so dangerous that the quiet, calm, generous people need to start speaking up. As a result I’ve recently been very vocal with my representatives in the government as well as just with people I know. It has also made me want to support Syrian refugees, and other refugees. I am fortunate that I don’t need my business to make money for me. Consequently, I am closing my Etsy shop on December 1st. I will continue to make my Don’t Bore Your Baby quilts, but I have arranged to give them to a local refugee resettlement organization. I will use the money I make from concentrating on tee shirt quilts to buy more materials for DBYB quilts. I will still make custom DBYB quilts for people who want to buy one via the grapevine, because I think the visual stimulation for babies is so important, but again, profits go to more quilts for refugees. And, I’m keeping this business small so I can enjoy more than just my quilting. This is a small endeavor to help people, but it is something I can do.
So, TheQuiltifyShop is closed. Profits from any sale will go to materials for more refugee quilts. Unpurchased quilts will be delivered the week of December 1st to the resettlement organization in Boston.
Besides kindness, what are some other ways sane people can help the world one small step at a time?
The morning light on the rocks on Otter’s Point. Here’s to you, who are adding some joy to the world. Happy days!
Quiltify 
Bless you. Yes, we need to combat the negativity with love and compassion and respect. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” One of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
I wish you well in your new retirement phase. I have found I have PLENTY all the time, more to do than I have time for, as you have. I feel sorry for those who don’t have the resources (imagination, money,
That is a great quote by MLK, Jr. Thanks for your input!
I see I didn’t finish my sentence, but my thought was pretty complete. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving.
ISIS promises us that they will, and have, infiltrated any refugees coming in to our country. My heart also goes out to the people fleeing their homeland and would love to resettle them here, but not at the risk of putting our whole country in danger. We should help them over there somewhere and keep them safe. I’m curious, do you think this is a bunch of bull? If so, I wonder why.
I try to put myself in the refugees’ situation. If I’d lost my home country and spent 2-3 years in a refugee camp being vetted, I would just want a safe place for my children to grow up healthy. How would I feel if 1000 people like me were refused entrance because we might have a bad apple in the group? Horrible. I think generosity and humanitarian aide would do more to quell ISIS than bombs or refusing to allow them to live a happy life. The USA had a hand in creating ISIS, so we should help those who have suffered for it. It is a long process to get into the USA. A member of ISIS can come to the US in a much easier manner than as a refugee, so we can’t be free of them by refusing entry to refugees. We already have mass murders from our own citizens, mostly, if not all, white men ;ie, Oklahoma, schools, theater, etc. Should we deport all white men? I think not. I try to live by the golden rule: Do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you. We are a country of refugees and we should accept others accordingly.
Good for you. I applaud your sentiments and your plans. My 20 years of retirement have been fully occupied with quilting, writing poetry, studying for and gaining a degree, teaching English for love.
My spare quilts and lots of other things have already gone to the refugees facing winter without proper shelter. Though my working capacity nowadays is very limited, due to health problems, we must all do what we can to help.
Thanks Viv. No matter what your activity level, I hope you are feeling well enough to enjoy the simple things we have not time for as we rush around in our younger years!
Thank you. Mostly I seem to be reading or watching rubbish TV
We all have to retire when it meets our financial and personal needs, and we all have to pursue those interests that pull at our heart and soul. Good luck with your new direction.
You sound so wise ! I hope I didn’t sound too narrow minded. I remember my mother being sad for men she knew who worked late in life and then promptly died. She was always sorry they hadn’t gotten to enjoy some retirement. I also have friends who have no choice but to keep working, but I do see them adjusting their lives a bit to secure more pleasure from these years. I guess I just dislike the belittling aspect… Happy Thanksgiving!