I leaped at the chance when my employer offered a voluntary separation program as part of an effort to relieve the county’s budget during the coronavirus outbreak.

There were so many things I wanted to do after retirement: travel, visit distant relatives, sample local cuisine, and explore nature. I’ve been retired for nearly a year, and the farthest I’ve traveled is to California, a three-hour drive, for a dentist visit. Covid-19 took its toll on us and hindered us from having fun. With omicron on the horizon, my husband and I were forced to stay at home, despite vaccinations and boosters.

My 95-year-old mother-in-law died in the Philippines in 2020, and my husband never got to say goodbye to her because planes were grounded. Even if we did make it, we would be quarantined. My husband and I worked for a long time, and now that we had the chance to enjoy life, we can’t. I’m not sure how long this epidemic will last, but I hope it ends soon. It’s been two years, and we’re not getting any younger.

Meanwhile, life goes on, and I kept myself occupied by baking and gardening, courtesy of YouTube. Because it’s so cold outside, all I could do was watch my plants wilt in the winter. The good news is that I’ve finally finished Volume 2 of the Mrs. Millionaire Short Story Book Series. Please keep an eye out for it, as it will be available shortly, and be safe at all times!