Has life been feeling a bit boring and routine of late? Have you lost that sense of wonder at what the day will bring? Do you crave some excitement to shake up your world and enliven your spirit? If so… you might want to consider “the toughest job you’ll ever love.”
Below is the 4th and final piece in a series graciously shared with us by David Jarmul, author and host of Not Exactly Retired.com. This fascinating website presents an insider’s look at what it’s like to be an older member of the Peace Corps. Filled with challenges and rewards (along with some major lessons in pushing personal boundaries), it just might be “the toughest job you’ll ever love.”
Below is Carla’s story. I know you’ll find it both enlightening and inspiring…
I first looked into Peace Corps back in the 70’s while I was still in college. Then I got married, had children and started my career. So much for the Peace Corps.
Nine years ago, Pete died from melanoma, two years before he was going to retire and three years before I was going to follow. I was 55. I kept working because I had no plan now that The Plan had blown up.
By the time I was 60, I needed a change from my job at a library. I’m not sure why Peace Corps came to mind again. Maybe I saw something online or in the paper. I called and found out their oldest volunteer was 84 — a lot older than me. So I decided to retire and apply to Peace Corps myself.
I applied in June 2014, interviewed in September and was accepted in October. I went ahead and retired in December, then headed for Washington state to begin saying my goodbyes. My mother lives there as do my brothers and sister. My daughter and two granddaughters lived in Oregon then, and I helped them move to Denver. I hoped to go to Japan to see my older son, too, but I ran out of time.
