Here’s What 1 Grumpy Retiree Taught Me About Life Over 3 Strikes & 5 Ditches

Want to port into your future? Talk to friends who are already there.

I have a lot of respect for Joseph.

He is 64 and an occasional happy retiree.

I say that because he can be grumpy and funny simultaneously. It is one of those things as human beings. We have many faces. We confuse others.

It makes me wonder whether that comes with age.

Joseph Is Competitive AF [Even] At 64

“I will be so annoyed if I finish the game in the last position. I must have some strikes. It is my pride, man.”

I laughed when he said that.

I know Joseph.

We connected over LinkedIn during the pre-COVID years. Our friendship blossomed. I enjoy his candid ways. He consulted me about his retirement investments.

We bonded.

Today is no different.

It was the start of 2024. We [together with Jacqueline and Jeremey] went to a bowling center for fun. We never bowled together. I [just] hope we have fun.

We did.

For one, the 64-year-old Grumpy entertained me quite a bit.

“Go, go, go, no, no, no, no! Stupid ball! Why can’t you move straight!!”

“I look at this ball and instantly know this is the one for natural champions like me. This is mine!”

“7 points only? I must score later! Let me tighten my shoelace!”

I explode in laughter.

Joseph was happy. He was oozing competitiveness over… nothing.

And that gave me a chuckle. What’s there beyond the score and strikes?

I kept my mouth shut. Joseph was in a good mood. I want him to remain there.

Joseph finished the first game with 3 strikes, 2 spares, and 5 ditches. He was proud. He trashed Jacqueline… who ditched her way to last place.

“See? See? I am still competitive, you know. I can do well if I have the chance to! Right, Aldric?”

That was only 1 correct answer at that moment.

“Right, old man.”

We did a double hi-5.

He smiled.

Brightly.

“Thank You for Indulging Me, Aldric. You Are Very Kind.”

“Bro, come on. You’re 64. I’m 40. I think we are old enough to understand how life works. You win some. You lose some. Chill.”

He turned and patted my shoulder with his left hand.

“I wonder who is the REAL~ OLD~ MAN~ here.”

Laughter filled the air.

And 50-year-old Jacqueline just tossed another ditch.

“Why so difficult!”

Her screams ignited the next wave of laughing bombs.

She was trying to make a nuisance out of herself, too. I guess that is how older folks cope with age.

We try to be happier. We try.

“How is your job hunt, bro? Did the security firm call you?”

Joseph’s lips twisted.

I caught it.

Then his turn came.

“No one called me back. My age is a Fear Factor, you know. I will keep trying. I am a fighter.”

He finished his sentence and then walked up to the lane.

The view of his back and slightly slanted shoulders embodied life’s disappointments. It spoke on Joseph’s behalf.

He tossed the ball.

It ditched.

Twice.

He came back to sit and sulked like a kid. Funny guy.

“I am going to get a double strike later. Just watch!”

Everyone cheered him on. The kid from the neighboring lane did the same.

“Yes, you can, old man!”

His mum dragged the little one away with a sheepish smile.

“See that? People are rushing to retire and expire me. Why? I am still healthy, able, and willing. So frustrating.”

I patted his right thigh.

“I never thought about retirement. It is neither retreat nor advancement. Why would I want to stagnate? What is the point? I still want to achieve big goals, you know. I am not eagerly waiting for death.”

His attitude oozed from his words.

I can understand because I am [still] trying to figure retirement out.

The Retirement in Me

I remember my younger days.

• I was desperate to get out of school.
• I did not want homework assignments.
• And I wanted to earn some pocket money to buy comic books.

Of course, I knew nuts in my early 20s.

Then, I went to work.

Life took a turn… for the worse.

The workplace is a breeding ground for complications.

• Snake-tongued colleagues,
• Highly toxic bosses,
• Annoying clients.

I didn’t know better.

Today, I am moving away from the workplace to retirement. Age and life taught me not to assume.

So, I observe.

I listen to stories from retirees. I empathize and imagine how life would be when I am at their age.

Joseph is my mirror.

We share many common traits.

• We are disagreeable,
• We believe in achievements,
• We want to win, no matter how small the stakes are.

To us, it gives meaning to hardship and suffering.

But I can see how Joseph is struggling with his personality today. At 64.

I feel for him.

And my future.

“I want to work and have something to look forward to. I don’t want to sit and rot. Others can do that. I do me. But no one is willing to give me an opportunity. It sucks.”

He spoke his mind before getting up for his turn.

This time, he tossed a strike.

He put his hands up and shouted yes!

We cheered for him. Everyone heard us.

Who cares?

The Old Boy is happy. And that matters.

The Close

Big or small, achievement [still] matters when I age.

Joseph convinced me so.

He might not be the champion bowler, but he does his best to win every strike or spare he can.

And I am fortunate… in the fullest sense of the word.

I get to learn from my friends ahead of me in life and retirement. I extract lessons and work on myself.

And maybe, maybe…

I should start taking self-employment seriously. I doubt I can live without a job. What can I do if others don’t offer me one?

Easy.

I start one.

And that is the takeaway I extracted from Joseph as he whines his way to ditches and strikes.

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