The Foreign Service Journal, January 2006

A year after retiring I got a chance to work as a WAE for the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General. A few years later, I took a temporary position with the Peace Corps. And when the Secretary of State appointed me to the Foreign Service Grievance Board, I jumped at the opportunity, even though it would reduce my income. (I was paid by the hour and there weren’t many hours, but it was fascinating work.) I redirected old skills, becoming a writer of imagi- native essays and fiction (instead of drafting reporting cables and memos). Just as importantly, I developed new skills as a certified mediator, applying alternative dispute resolution methods not only to international matters but also to disputes between divorcing couples and in small claims court. And once I didn’t have to keep a regular schedule, I indulged myself with golf and tennis on weekdays, when people in the 9-to-5 work force can’t play. Most importantly, I benefited from the love of a good woman. Susan came along at just the right time, to be my validator (“You’re not a failure…”) and my agent of reali- ty (“… although you sometimes come across as too self- satisfied”). And she brought me closer to our families: the Foreign Service makes it easy to push family rela- tionships away from the center of awareness, and now that I’m retired and married to Susan — and a grandfa- ther — family life is richer. I stand with Browning’s Rabbi Ben Ezra: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” Larry Lesser Washington, D.C. utu Having Time to Stop and Say Hello I retired in 2001, worked for an NGO specializing in women’s health for a couple of years (in Washington, D.C., and Kathmandu), and then retired again to my home in West Virginia to write. I have finished two arti- cles and submitted one for publication, but have not found the time or the energy yet to start on my book. My FS experience was very relevant for the NGO work, but is not directly related to my writing. I would strongly recommend the advice provided in the Retirement Seminar — probably the best training program I took in all my years in government — though it should be given to people earlier, say five to 10 years after starting work, and then again about five years prior to retirement. I moved to Falling Waters, W. Va., where I live in a house that looks out over the Potomac River. I came here because it’s beautiful, has four seasons and water sports (I have a kayak), walking (I often walk along the towpath) and skiing is nearby. It’s close to family in Washington, D.C. (90 minutes away, if there’s no traffic on the D.C. end), yet very rural — and I guess I am addicted to learn- ing new cultures. My neighbors couldn’t be more differ- ent from my colleagues at USAID, but are just as inter- esting and wonderful people whom I’m learning to know and love. I am very active in politics both locally and nationally: voter registration, campaigning, organizing local groups and participating in major political actions. I am an offi- cer of my homeowners’ association. I have completed extensive renovations on my home and recently started as a hospice volunteer. I paint, and hope to get a grand piano soon. I still love opera at the Kennedy Center. Basically I’ve had a good experience with the Retirement Division, except that I did not get the earn- ings form for the year I was in Nepal and so had quite a large amount to repay, which was a bit of a pain. I’m signed up for the new RNet service ( www.Rnet.gov) , which should make things easier. I have a few words of advice for those approaching retirement. Get to know the real estate problems and pitfalls before you start looking to buy in a new area. I don’t really know how to do this, so I didn’t do a good job and ended up with a real lemon of a house that required extensive renovation. It all worked out okay, but cost me a couple of hundred thousand dollars I hadn’t counted on spending, and probably three years of day-to-day effort as I handled my own contracting — a real nightmare for me. Also, take the Retirement Seminar as early as you are allowed. Then take it again five years before you retire. Don’t be afraid to branch out into something entirely new. I love my life, and many of my retired-FS friends love theirs too. Give yourself two or three years to adjust: retirement is a major change that requires some rewiring and relearning. Pay attention to your physical and men- tal health. Relax and have fun — you deserve it! I have come to appreciate the slower pace, especially having time to stop and say hello to someone; time to do both my exercise and meditation each morning; time to F O C U S J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 57