The Foreign Service Journal, May 2016

the Foreign Service journal | may 2016 41 Two Truths By MARC E . N I CHOLSON I retired fairly early and with no financial worries, so my com- ments relate to the social side of life. I “sort of” knew two truths when I retired, but they became more vivid over time . First, in middle age our friendships and social life are over- whelmingly obtained through our work life, so when one leaves the job, the room can become very quiet very soon unless one develops other associations and organizational affiliations that put one in contact with other people. And that human contact is essential to mental health and happiness. Second, while at first in retirement we want to “clean up” various projects that had been postponed, it is important to shift soon if one has an aspiration to acquire a new talent or skill or one has a new career ambition. The longer you postpone it, the more you will feel that it’s too late in life to pursue it and reap sufficient benefit from your efforts. I was tempted on retirement to learn to play classical piano, but did not, and now regret that it may be too late. Marc E. Nicholson, a political officer, joined the Foreign Service in 1975 and retired in 2000. He served in Bangkok (two tours), Brasilia (two tours) and Lisbon, and spent half his career at the State Depart- ment in Washington, D.C., working on political-military affairs. Mr. Mayor: Still Keeping Promises Three Terms On By J i m Cason L ittle did I imagine as I boarded the plane in Asuncion at the conclusion of my three-year stint as U.S. ambassador that I would end up as the mayor of Coral Gables, one of America’s most beautiful small cities. My plan was to take the retirement seminar and move to Florida to begin a life of leisure after 38 years with State. The seminar suggested many ways to keep busy, but running for local office was not on the menu. I thought I might do some part-time work as a consultant after getting settled in a new home. My wife and I had long had our eyes on Coral Gables as an ideal retirement community. Located just south of Miami, the “City Beautiful” of 47,000 residents is home to the University of Miami, many consulates and trade offices, and some 135 Latin American corporate headquarters. It was planned in the 1920s by George Merrick, who envisioned creating an international theme city from 3,000 acres of pine trees and fruit orchards. Today it is renowned for its tropical foliage, well-kept homes, cultural attractions, and the linguistic and ethnic diversity of its inhabitants, most of whom have university degrees. USA Today and Rand McNally have named Coral Gables the second most beautiful small town in America. The city is 58 percent Hispanic, a majority Cuban-American. I spent most of my career in Latin America, and served as chief of mission in Havana from 2002 to 2005. I realized that many people knew of me fromHavana, where I had a reputation of creatively working with the oppositionmovement. Cuban-Americans began urging me to run for state or county office. However, I was more interested in getting acclimated and developing a circle of friends. By mid-2009, some 18 months after moving to Coral Gables, I began to grow restless. The State Department Office of the Inspec- tor General invited me to become a senior inspector, and I took assignments in Amman and Baghdad. But as I settled into my new city, I began to realize that Coral Gables voters were looking for new leadership. After months of delving into city records and talk- Jim Cason (at right), the mayor of Coral Gables, Florida, presents the “Key to the City” to Jose Soria, Spain’s minister of commerce. COURTESYOFJIMCASON