Being A Retiree From My Father's View
by Mariana Tan
20 June 2021
My father, commonly known as “Uncle Eng Boon”, embraced retirement life sometime around mid-2019.
We both entered a new phase of life at the same time. For me, it was leaving the shores of student life and wading into the deeper waters of adulthood. For my dad it was clocking out of his 9-to-5 job of forty-something years and waking up in the morning as a retiree.
Now it is close to two years since his official retirement. Yet, more than half of it was spent in lockdown. Here’s a little of this retiree’s perspective as he looks back at this season so far:
Q1: How had you envisioned retirement?
EB: Since working from 9 to 5 would not be my priority anymore, I was going to be able to focus more on my family and serving the church.
Q2. How have you been spending your retirement?
EB: More on a slower pace as I look upon what things I’d want to do during leisure time. Though, it is mostly spending a lot more quality time cooking for my family and getting involve in some church activities. (Not to mention a long watchlist of various YouTube videos! Maybe a story for another time.)
Q3. How will you want to spend it differently post-pandemic?
EB: I will want to travel more often to Penang to visit my siblings, nieces and nephews at any given opportunity.
Q4. How did you feel / what were your thoughts when you first heard about the virus/lockdown?
EB: The situation and having to stay at home 24/7 in quarantine, it is all so surreal. But I thank God that I can testify that peace always prevails when I’m able to stay at home with my wife, daughter and my mum-in-law.
Q5. What has been difficult transitioning into this new phase of retirement (esp. in a pandemic)? What helped you cope with it?
EB: Not much difficulty in transitioning into retirement. I’m always occupied with things that I’ve now re-prioritise such as family & church which I truly enjoy.
Q6. What do you recommend to those (retiree or would-be retiree alike) who may feel stuck at home to invest in and pass the time?
EB: Look out for things that you can do in a small way. Little things that bring great joy when you share your care and put time into it. In coping with the pandemic, I try to stay focus on what I have to do day-to-day with the peace of God in me - a peace that transcends all understanding.
Q7. Finally, what has been your greatest joy or highlight over this season?
EB: Being able to connect with some friends to have lunch and bible study together weekly.
I’ve often labelled my father’s retirement as “The Life of a Househusband” because truly, he is exceptional in caring for the home and making sure my mum and I are fed (and fat) through the meals he lovingly and ambitiously prepares. He is a family man beyond my mum and I. Evident from the way he obediently and diligently prepares for bible study and fumbles through the complex science of Zoom and online meetings.
At this point you’re probably wondering, “Is this a Father’s Day article?”. Well, it’s not (supposed) to be. But, when you witness the love of an earthly father for his heavenly one, it is only natural to share it and rejoice!
