Changes

When I was young and planning out my life, this is not where I thought it would go.  And so it is.  Today I am head of a grandfamily.  We are moving in with my mom who has dementia.  That will feel like three littles at times. That is going to be a major adjustment for all of us including the pets.
I have had to change gears and make new plans and new safety nets.  I haven't looked exactly but I have about 13 years till "retirement" age where I collect social security.  I'm pretty sure I will not be able to work in the warehouse that long.  Liz, my boss, also has that in mind as she is a couple years older than me.  Her plan is we will work as long as possible with help from the others.  She may have to  hire a guy eventually to move some of our boxes of books.  I will work as long as it is feasible.
When I was deciding what to do with the rental house, it was one of the factors.  I could have sold it and used the proceeds.  And I will, just not yet.  I think that comes when I can't work any longer.  And so the rental needed to make more money now.  Hence the management company.  They took it over and raised the rent.  Hoping that will give me enough to sock some away for that roof it is going to need.
I can start taking money from the IRA when I am 59 and a half.  Funny how close that feels now.  That will allow me to re-evaluate how my safety nets are, how I feel at work, etc.
I have two littles to get raised until they are grown-ups and that costs money.  And they are going to be more costly as they get older.  Have to plan for that.
Things become different when you don't have your back up plan any longer.  When you don't have help any longer.  Things have to change, at least for me.  I have to set things up for my comfort and my life.  I no longer can worry about how other people feel or perceive my actions.
So we are making changes that make my family stronger, safer.  We are making changes that show us what we are capable of.  Who we are capable of being.  We are moving forward as always.  No stagnating and limbo is done.  We will do this with courage, strength and grace.