Two of my children (a Byzantine priest and my youngest son with his wife an two kids) live in a large city about three hours from the smaller town in which I raised my family.  Several months ago I learned that one of my daughters is moving much closer to this large town because of her husband's job.  A few weeks ago my only child still living in town with me announced that she would be taking a teaching job in this large city at a parochial school.  (Her husband has a consulting business and can work anywhere.  So, by the end of the summer, I will be alone in this town.

How is this good news?

It is good news because I have sold my business and my house.  This, combined with other assets, will allow a comfortable retirement.  I am still a few years shy of 60.  I am sorry to leave my business, which my wife and I built from nothing, but a business associate I trust completely in matters of business is the principle buyer, and I am confident I am leaving the business and employees in excellent hands


I am going to movie to this large city as well.  I am looking at a number of properties near the majority of my children.

When this is done, I will live within a few blocks of three of my children and their families.  I will live much, much closer to the other.  I will be able to attend the Divine Liturgy at my son's parish every Sunday.  I will be able to attend the Divine Liturgy or the TLM every day.  I will be within easy driving distance of three monasteries.  

I intend to pursue ordination as a permanent deacon, I hope in the Byzantine rite.

I am indescribably grateful to God for this abundance of grace and blessing!

 

Thanks  .And I am not sure your three year old should be drinking beer.   :wink:

Congratulations Sigi. May Gods will be done!  

Gregory,

My son is Ruthenian.  My wife, who was Filipino, was adopted as a child by an Arab couple who were Chaldean rite.  When they came to this country there was no Chaldean or Melkite church where they lived, but there was a Ruthenian parish.  I am Latin rite, but have long preferred the Eastern rite.  We always attended a Byzantine parish, both for what it was and to avoid the silliness that often accompanies Latin rite Masses.  All of my children consider themselves Byzantine.   The daughter who lives about an hour way still comes to my son's parish on Sundays, although her family goes to a closer one for holy days and a Latin rite Church on weekdays.

All of my children and grandchildren are practicing Catholics.  The fact that I will be able to attend the Liturgy with them and share Sunday dinner with them each week is an amazing blessing.  

I have always seen myself as a deacon, assisting my son.  He to has encouraged me to be willing to be called to the priesthood if God and the bishop wish.  At my age, he feels that it is unlikely that I would ever be asked to be a parish pastor, especially if I didn't want to be.  It would be more blessing than any one man has any right to expect, to be married and raise a family and then to end my life as a priest.

I am still inclined toward being a deacon, bu as God wills!

You've carved yourself out a cozy retired life, sounds like - filled with family joys and traditional religion. Thumbs up!

Yep.  God has been very good.

...I have sold my business and my house.  This, combined with other assets, will allow a comfortable retirement.  I am still a few years shy of 60.  I am sorry to leave my business, which my wife and I built from nothing, ...
When this is done, I will live within a few blocks of three of my children and their families.  ...  I will be able to attend the Divine Liturgy or the TLM every day.  I will be within easy driving distance of three monasteries....
I intend to pursue ordination as a permanent deacon, I hope in the Byzantine rite.

Congratulations on keeping the family close together, today, that is rare in the USA. The motto of the USA is more like come to America, loose the faith, and scatter your family.

That said, I have only one advice to give you. There is only one way to survive the coming collapse of paper currency (by hyperinflation), and that is by having a job, or a business, that has an income that rides the tide of inflation. Inflation goes up, your income goes up. Your retirement money will turn into nothing in that infaltionary scenario. Unless, you can live with your children, and help them in their business (work for them, and with them), I would not retire from the business that you have. Maybe you can start it in another city with your children. Whatever you do, do not think you can retire, and live off your retirement reserves in the enviroment that we live today, moreover, you are only 60, and could live another 40 years like my grandfather did. My grandfather came to this country at 70 years of age, and worked till he died, but he worked at something that he liked, or at least did not have to put up with aggravations. Working with little aggravation is the only "retirement" men should have.

 

That is good advice, Nadie, thanks.  

I can live with my children.  All of them have invited me to do so, although my son the priest said it would require permission from the bishop for me to live in the parish rectory.  At present, I prefer to maintain my own house, in part because I don't want to choose between them.  A son in law owns a business similar to mine, and we plan for me to be a part of that on a limited basis.  This will require physical work, but I am in excellent health and am actually looking forward to this.  It will involve gardening and landscaping, something I do for fun now.

You are right about the family.  My wife and I must have done something right in raising our kids.  They all married Catholic spouses (except for the priest, of course!), although one was in the process of converting when he met my daughter.  His parents have converted too, being disgusted with their Episcopal church's outrages, so even all the in-laws are Catholic.  Now, even the most distant extended family will only be a few hours away.

As if these blessings were not enough, one of my grandchildren announced at dinner today that he wants to be a priest like his uncle, although he is discerning a call to be a monk as well.

You have succeeded at being a good patriarch. You have kept the family together and all are real practicng Catholics. Why don't you tell us what you think the secret of your success was. With so much useless static from amateurs being posted on the internet and even on this forum, anything that you write will be like gold. Speak on, and we'll chime in to get more out of you. It'll be like a "think tank" discussion. There are few Catholics that have accomplished what you have. I know many USA Catholics that have passed on the faith, but none that have also kept the family together. It's your conbination that makes you rare in the USA ( I know a few in Quebec that have done it)

Quote from: Sigismund

That is good advice, Nadie, thanks.  

I can live with my children.  All of them have invited me to do so, although my son the priest said it would require permission from the bishop for me to live in the parish rectory.  At present, I prefer to maintain my own house, in part because I don't want to choose between them.  A son in law owns a business similar to mine, and we plan for me to be a part of that on a limited basis.  This will require physical work, but I am in excellent health and am actually looking forward to this.  It will involve gardening and landscaping, something I do for fun now.

You are right about the family.  My wife and I must have done something right in raising our kids.  They all married Catholic spouses (except for the priest, of course!), although one was in the process of converting when he met my daughter.  His parents have converted too, being disgusted with their Episcopal church's outrages, so even all the in-laws are Catholic.  Now, even the most distant extended family will only be a few hours away.

As if these blessings were not enough, one of my grandchildren announced at dinner today that he wants to be a priest like his uncle, although he is discerning a call to be a monk as well.

You have succeeded at being a good patriarch. You have kept the family together and all are real practicng Catholics. Why don't you tell us what you think the secret of your success was. With so much useless static from amateurs being posted on the internet and even on this forum, anything that you write will be like gold. Speak on, and we'll chime in to get more out of you. It'll be like a "think tank" discussion. There are few Catholics that have accomplished what you have. I know many USA Catholics that have passed on the faith, but none that have also kept the family together. It's your conbination that makes you rare in the USA ( I know a few in Quebec that have done it)

and from another thread, I read that you have a master's degree from an ivy league school. Amazing, and you didn't loose the faith! How'd you survive that one?