Last month, before I was to speak at the Sacramento Rotary Club, my wife Becky asked, “Do you think you’ll ever fully retire?”
I answered, “Definitely! Mostly. Maybe?”
She asks because she knows I sometimes struggle to write this column, travel for speaking engagements and pastor a small church. It’s all rewarding, but a lot of work.
To explain my reticence, I simply say, “I’m just not sure of the best timing.”
In past years, Inside readers sent many emails with positive responses to my writings. You rolled out the red carpet for me during our dozen-plus years together. You hosted me for speeches at colleges, hospitals, churches and civic organizations.
You traveled with me to Honduras for Chispa Project, the charity my daughter Sara created to bring libraries to Honduran elementary schools.
When I think of full retirement, I’m struck with a case of FOMO, Fear of Missing Out. I don’t want to forego more wonderful exchanges, meetings and friendships.
So, I’ve come up with a compromise for retirement, with ways to stay in touch when I fully retire.
First, consider signing up for my column by email. Inside publishes my thoughts each month, but I write a weekly version for syndication.
If you’d like the weekly edition, email me at comment@thechaplain.net and I’ll put you on the list. Or sign up at my website, thechaplain.net/newsletter.
You’ll find my four books on the website—collections of my columns. “No Small Miracles” contains stories I wrote as a pediatric hospital chaplain at Sutter Memorial. “Hero’s Highway” recounts my deployment to a combat hospital in Iraq.
“Thriving Beyond Surviving” includes columns about faith, family, fun and forgivingness. My most recent book, “Tell It to the Chaplain” recalls my chaplain experiences in the hospital, hospice and military.
The last section of “Tell It to the Chaplain” tells the story of Chispa Project. Thanks to readers like you, we’ve helped more than 22,000 kids in Honduras get their first books by creating school libraries with my daughter’s charity.
Finally, know that no matter what I say, I’m not completely retired. I remain pastor of Community Church in Nevada City. The congregation is patient with me, and I miss everyone when travel takes me out of town for at least eight Sundays a year.
As a new year begins, please keep me in your prayers and thoughts as I will for you. Thank you for your faithful reading and support.
Norris Burkes can be reached at comment@thechaplain.net. Burkes is available for public speaking at civic organizations, places of worship, veterans groups and more. For details and fees, visit thechaplain.net.
