It was a beautiful October afternoon.
I was driving home after an enjoyable mountain bike ride in the Appalachian Mountains, savoring the cool breeze through the open windows in my pickup truck.
The radio was on (yes, I’m an old-timer who still listens to the radio, typically a local Classic Rock station), when Bruce Springsteen started belting out his catchy 1984 song…Glory Days.
Feel free to watch the video of that infamous tune, but here are some key lyrics to spark your memory:
- “I had a friend who was a baseball player, back in high school…”
- “We went back inside, sat down, had a few drinks, but all he kept talking about was Glory Days…”
- “Glory Days, well they’ll pass you by. Glory Days, in the wink of a young girl’s eye.”
- “And I hope when I get old, I don’t sit around thinking about it. But I probably will.”
The song got me thinking….
…and that thinking led to today’s post.
Glory Days…they’ll pass you by.
It’s not only applicable to high school memories. It turns out to also be a great reminder for our retirement years.
Bruce Springsteen sang of the Glory Days. His song about high school memories applies equally well to retirement. Share on X
Glory Days (They’ll Pass You By)
As I listened to Bruce, my thoughts drifted.
Do I want my life to be focused on the “Glory Days” of the past, or would I rather be intentional about enjoying my current life?
I’ll take Door #2 for $100, Alex. Every time.
I don’t want to be one of those “old people” who tell the same old stories from their earlier Glory Days. Better to embrace the current, appreciate the life we’re enjoying today, and reflect on the Glory Days we have left to live.
My thoughts drifted to the contrast between my life now and my life in high school.
I have great memories of high school, but those days don’t even compare to the days I’m living now. Back in high school, I had lots of friends, but also dealt with the awkward peer pressure/acceptance issues that all teenagers face. Scraping together a few bucks to go out on the weekend required a part-time job. In retirement, I’m financially independent, happily married, have as many friends as I did in those old Glory Days, and am making a small impact on the world through my writing and my wife’s charity.
Retirement is like high school with money and no need to attend class, take tests, or do homework.
I would argue that retirement life is better than high school life. Today, I’ll share 5 examples to prove the point that we’re actually living our Glory Days now. As you read through these examples…
- Think about your own “Glory Days” list.
- What are you doing now that classifies as “Glory Day Living?”
- If your list is short, what can you add to add more “Glory Days” to your life?
Never stop experimenting. Your glory days are out there, but they will pass you by.
Make them happen, while you still can.
5 Examples Of Living The Glory Days
1. Playing In The Woods (on a weekday)
One of my true joys in retirement is being able to enjoy the woods on weekdays, when all of the tourists are back at work. October is my favorite month to be outside, and I’ve been taking full advantage of it. In each of the past three weeks, I’ve taken Toby for a 6+ mile hike. Like his “Dad,” he is an active soul, and it’s helpful to let him burn some energy off in the gorgeous mountain area we call home. I’ve also gone mountain biking, and enjoyed “Sunday walks” with my wife on a nice 2.5-mile loop by our cabin.
As I look up at the breeze blowing the colored leaves on an Appalachian mountainside, I pause in appreciation and give thanks for being able to live these…
…Glory Days.
2. Gracie: Our 16-Year-Old Rescue Dog
We adopted Gracie, a “16-year-old” dog, last year (*). Gracie was tied to a chain, and we were building a fence for her through my wife’s charity, Freedom For Fido. She stole our hearts, and we thought we’d give her a better life for the few short months she likely had remaining. Her owner wasn’t responsible, and he was happy to let us adopt her.
We knew we’d be heartbroken when she died, but felt the benefit was worth the cost.
* When we brought Gracie home, she bounded up onto our couch and jumped off the back of the couch onto the floor. “There’s no way she’s 16,” we thought. (Her owner had told us that she was 16). Our vet guessed she was 8 – 10 years old, and we subsequently found a sibling through a DNA match and confirmed her age at 10 years old.
We thought Gracie would be gone by now. Instead, we savor every day we get with her. We consider every one of them to be…
…Glory Days.
3. Watching A Grandchild Grow
If you have children, you likely reflect on how quickly the time passed.
Knowing that, we’re focusing on creating as many positive experiences with our 6-year-old granddaughter as possible. We’ve started an annual tradition called “Grand Camp,” where Octavia comes to the mountains for a week every summer to do “fun kid stuff” with Grandma and Grandpa.
It’s our favorite week of the year.
We build a list all year of activities we think she’d enjoy, then flood the week with great experiences. We capture the week in photos and give her a hard-bound book every year at Christmas titled “Grand Camp,” with the year engraved on the cover. Every one of the photos in that book serves as a reminder that we’re living in a time that will pass all too quickly…
…Glory Days.
4. Making A Difference In Our Community
My wife and I never dreamed that we’d be running a charity in retirement. (For my newer readers, we build free fences for low-income families with dogs in need). Working arm-in-arm with my wife on the mission makes it special for both of us, and we savor the work we’re doing.
Freedom For Fido has become the thing we enjoy more than anything else at this stage in our lives. I’ve written the story behind the charity in my article, “Freedom For Fido – A Story Of Finding Purpose in Retirement.”
When my wife started it, we had no idea that we’d still be going strong 6 years later, and rapidly approaching our 200th fence build (Build #190 is happening this week – follow our Facebook page for pics as we approach #200!).
The benefits of this work have exceeded our expectations, including:
- Relationships: We call our volunteers “The Fido Family” for a reason.
- Physical Activity: I’m in the best shape of my life, in part due to my desire to never stop building fences.
- Purpose: Giving back to those in need brings rewards like nothing else.
At every build, my wife does an amazing job of “keeping it fun,” and it’s rewarding to hear the laughter and see the smiles on all of our volunteers’ (and recipients’) faces. As our society has grown increasingly divisive, she established a guideline that “No Politics Allowed – this is all about the dogs.” It’s a true joy to watch individuals from “both sides of the aisle” working side by side, with smiles on their faces (one of the few remaining places in our society where that occurs, I’d imagine?).
Everyone talks about the fantastic atmosphere on our builds, and my wife deserves all the credit for keeping it that way. Every time I head out for a Build Day, I take a moment to appreciate the fact that I’m living in our…
…Glory Days.
5. The Retirement Manifesto
10 years in, and I still love the feeling of “Flow” I experience when I write these articles. Having a platform to exercise my mind, share my experiences, and provide content that (hopefully) benefits the reader makes my life better. I savor every reader email and comment that reminds me that the work I do in this writing studio is making an impact on people’s lives. How many people get the opportunity to write something that can impact others? I consider it a blessing, and it’s an area of my life that constantly reminds me that I’m living in…
…Glory Days.
The Glory Days – They’ll Pass You By
It’s appropriate that I’m writing this article in October. Like the leaves falling steadily outside my writing studio windows, I know these Glory Days will pass. In a few short years, I’ll be looking back with fond memories on the life I’m living right now.
I had a stark reminder of that as I read the following in a recent Kiplinger article, “Need A Reason To Retire Early? Consider These Eye-Opening Stats.”
“As of 2021, the U.S. health life expectancy or HALE is 63.9 years, according to the World Health Organization, the average age a person is expected to live in good health without having chronic diseases or significant disabilities.”
Read that again.
How long, realistically, do we have before our health begins to decline?
None of us knows the answer to that question, but just like our days in high school, or our days of raising a young child, we can be assured that these days will, indeed, pass us by.
I urge you to have a sense of urgency as you seek to create as many Glory Days as possible in your life. Don’t spend your life thinking about the past. Focus on the present.
Create and enjoy your Glory Days.
They will, indeed, pass you by.
Savor every minute until they’re gone.
Your Turn: What are you experiencing in your life now that qualifies as “Glory Days?” If your Glory Days are behind you, what regrets do you have, or what changes are you considering to fill your current life with Glory Days? Finally, I’ve got to ask: What’s better – high school or retirement? Let’s chat in the comments…
Retirement is better. My social relationships are very strong and deep. I have old friendships and meet new friends. My health is maybe at its best., I have time to exercise. I always sleep at night. I have money to buy healthy food. I can go on trips -not extravagant but enjoyable. I read daily a lot. I take classes. Time to see who I want and volunteer. Everyday I plan and fill with enjoyment.
As usual, you hit the nail on the head. There is no reason to live in the past, no matter how wonderful it may have been. There is every reason to live in the present and make it just as wonderful.
BTW, this past weekend, I bought my 10th copy of your book. I gift every time a friend retires!
Love your writing, Fritz.
Keep on keeping on,
Danica
Fritz, what a great article! This is exactly how I (and my wife of 45 years) live our lives in retirement. I think about that HALE statistic (didn’t realize there was an actual term for it) all the time. We are both 68 (actually my birthday is next Friday when I turn 68) and we have both had our health issues through the years, but fortunately we are doing well now. We have taken up Pickleball and play together regularly. It is good exercise and has been a great social outlet to make new friends at this stage of our lives. These are Glory Days for sure!
We are fortunate to have a 2nd home at the Jersey shore, which has become the center of our family’ summer activities. Camp Grammy and Pop-pop is where our grown daughters, their spouses and our 4 grandkids (ages 2 1/2 to 14) gather just about every weekend in the summer. The memories we are all building there will be some of the Glory Days they all remember, but are truly great Glory Days for us now!
I have other things that I am doing to make these retirement times, Glory Days, but I must contradict you on one point you made…about NOT attending school in retirement. I am in my 3rd semester of taking courses at Montclair State University (non- matriculated) under the New Jersey Senior Citizen Learning Program, tuition free. Going back to the nearby campus where I graduated from back in 1979, sure brings back memories of Glory Days. Taking courses with young students is a great experience and all have (professors and fellow students) have welcomed me with open arms! Glory days.
One of the most insightful and well-written articles I’ve read in a long time. Thank you for that.
Another thought provoking and challenging article! Great job Fritz, once again.
Tell Jackie that we enjoy reading updates on her FFF charity. Love both of your giving hearts. God bless you and your volunteers.
Hope to meet you for the first time soon. You wouldn’t be in TX Friday, would you?
A Glory Day can be every day you wake up and are grateful for life and your health. Giving of your talents, treasures and time is the recipe for a joyful heart and grateful mind.
Blessings always to everyone, Steve
Thanks for another impactful article and reference to “Bruce” as he was quite popular when I was attending college 1975-1979 at Rutgers in New Jersey.
I’ve been an avid reader of your blogs, have read multiple retirement related books and listen regularly to podcasts. I especially liked the new Long View podcast, I listened to yesterday, you did with Dana Anspach and Christine Benz. This past year I’ve participated in a Rock Retirement Master Mind Group.
I’ve been retired for almost 3 years and love it. I transitioned from VP to “no body” and haven’t longed for the past. Glory Days are bow hunting and riding my Bronco with my 93 year old dad, pickleball with 2 great social groups, playing my clarinet in a local marching/concert band, enjoying hiking vacations, working out at the gym, enjoying photography and seeing both of my adult children every week.
Thank you for what you do! It’s a huge positive contribution to retirees.
Glory Days
1. Our grand daughter is adorable. Can’t spend enough time with her despite the distance.
2. Playing on the water. Relocated from up north to living down south on the Inner Coastal Waterway. Every sunrise over the river is a blessing.
3. Giving back, just retired from 20 years mentoring 12-18 year old cadets interested in aviation, engineering and possible military service. Completing a letter of recommendation for a cadet who is applying to the Air Force Academy.
4. Little buddy, sadly our Westie of 15 years passed. Taking a break to travel to visit family.
5. Nostalgia in the garage. Have been tinkering with copies of the first two cars I owned in high school and college. A Falcon convertible and an early 60’s Corvette.
Retired in 2019 and life is good !
Thanks Fritz for another thought provoking article. We all tend to think about the great times we had in the past and forget that now that we’ve retired we at least have the opportunity to be living our Glory Days now. It was interesting last month when we went to my wife’s 50 year high school reunion to hear everyone’s story. Some have made really great lives and others are still doing the same thing they were 50 years ago.
I have been retired since July 2020 and my wife is coming up on three years next month when she turns 68 (I’ll be 68 in December). We are busy every day, sometimes too busy, volunteering at our church and the local food pantry. But we also made the decision to buy a second home in South Carolina this year because two of our kids, and 5 grandkids both live in the same neighborhood. It’s wonderful to have a place to go at the end of the day and also have the grandkids come stay with us. I’ve also enjoyed doing some remodeling work, even though the townhouse is new, each time we go to make it “ours”. We never thought of having a second home but we have the time to enjoy it and can afford it, so it’s been a good thing. For the first time our kids will not be coming home for Christmas but we will be spending it with them in SC. Thanks again and I would really like to meet you sometime if we take the north GA route to SC, just to sit and talk about this retirement thing.
A couple of posts back we were urged to have a plan/a purpose for retirement – that’s important. I am still lacking an actual plan. Somewhere in this retirement journey I thought it would be a good idea to pedal a bike from Manali to Leh in Northern India. I convinced my wife to do the same. I’m happy to report we’re still married. Actually she was a good sport about it. Trying to sleep in a tent along side the road at 15,000 feet elevation and peddling over Tanglangla (17,582 feet ) were just two of the experiences along the 300 mile route – glory days?
Thanks for yet another great reflection Fritz!
My glory day include going for walks with my 5 year old Great Pyrenees dog, Melvin; attending a men’s retreat near the Rockcastle River in Kentucky; and hanging out with the kid’s of my nephew. Oh, and going kayaking on the Pimlico Sound with a Hobie kayak that I got on my 70th birthday last month.
I was hoping from the title that it would be a Fritz essay, and I was not disappointed. It is always a pleasure to hear your cheerful voice. I hear echoes of my mother’s fundamental life lessons–be grateful for what you’ve got, and try to leave a place better than you found it. It is always useful to be reminded. Thanks, Fritz.
Great Job Fritz
You helped nail for me the personification of retirement (Now 5 years) for Me. I’ve always lived by “What’s behind me is Not important”-Its the Going Forward that matters. I love my family (Wife, Kids and Grandkids) and the continual memories we make. Taking in Life while we are here is Awesome
Thanks for the great Article
Great article Fritz. You nailed it!
Great article Fritz. You nailed it! We love being part of the Fido family in our retirement.
Great article Fritz!
Yep, these are the glory days, even though I really enjoyed my high school years. I write this as I sit in my robe sipping coffee while I watch the ducks swim by at 7:30 in the morning on a weekday. Doesn’t get much better than that. Well, unless it is time with family (definitely the grands) writing, or being out in nature. I had to chuckle when I read this article because we all know “that person” that is stuck in their glory days from high school or college. Smile. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate these glory days.
Glory Days is the first song my uncle belts out in karaoke whenever he can (and he’s really good, too!). So that’s always the first thing u think of with that song and phrase.
You’re doing it right, Fritz. Taking advantage of every day because it’s brings happiness and because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
I’m at a hotel in Boston right now getting ready to check out and fly to Europe for 38 nights with my wife and daughter. We’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to spend so much time together doing cool things and making memories along the way for years now. But the key is that we’re making the effort to actually plan and do these cool things rather than just letting life pass us by.
Life is good, my friend. Great post!
If I got this right–You create a book every year your granddaughter comes to visit?
No doubt that will be one of her most prized possessions throughout her life. What an absolute brilliant idea.
Thanks to you, looking back, high school was pretty sweet. Retirement is awesome but it’s like comparing airplanes to basketballs. They are very different things mentally and physically. T Boone Pickens once reflected that he would give all of his billions to go back and do it all again. Sometimes I feel like that and sometimes when I’m sitting on a beach in paradise or driving through Colorado mountains in fall and everyone else is at work, retirement is the ultimate. So I think it’s not one vs the other, but more both are part of a full life, as is college or your career. Enjoy every step of the journey and make every day count. Thanks Fritz for provoking thoughts.
Hi Fritz! Grand Camp and the corresponding photo album is a spectacular idea. Your grandchild will cherish those books forever.
Great stuff Fritz. You nail it every time!!!
Fritz,
Great Reminder!! I heard the same song while working on the back yard this morning. I’m going to commit to Bella that we will go on adventure hike every week! Headed to the nature park tomorrow! Also love supporting your wife’s organization!
Keep the flow coming!!
In the words of the great Sifu( Kung fu Panda’s master)….lol
Yesterday’s history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
Today is the real gift.
That’s why they call it…”The Present”
A financial planner who used to be on the radio here in Los Angeles used to say that
“Retirement is like a second childhood but without adult supervision”. Although I did not particularly respect his approach to financial planning, I always have loved this phrase and am experiencing it in my own post working life.
Great stuff, as you know I just won a pretty big bike race recently… not bad for a guy who was fat most of his life. My glory days are NOW!
What I love as much as your outlook on living, are the responses you elicit from your readers!! It’s always like reading a second article. Great work Fritz 😊
It is important to think back to when we were carefree and ask ourselves what we would do. Retirement is about leaving worries behind and being carefree.
Bonus points for having fur babies off lease in the woods. This is a big part of my every morning. I don’t know who enjoys it more, me or the dog
Fritz,
Here a Belgian-European contribution.
Not yet retired ( in 3 year’s time I will) but very hard involved in the matter as a financial planner, I really enjoyed this inspirational post. Continue please to spread this positive attitude. Thank you very much.
I also retained your no politics-guideline in your charity. If any other advise, very welcome. As I’ m contemplating “a flower the community “ initiative.
Best regards
Dirk