A Creative “Unretirement”

I found another one!  A creative man, making use of his days doing what he is good at and loves…no matter his age. He’s a member of the gym crowd at the local YMCA, which sources my many inspirations for blog posts.

Today, I am introducing 65-year old Terry Murphy.  A retired coach, professor, and bookstore manager from Holyoke Community College, he spends his summers mentoring boys ages 9 – 18 in a division 3 league of his own creation.

In every one of our occasional chit chats, I have been touched by the passion he has for offering his own special “curriculum of life” to kids who likely need a solid male presence. In the John Murphy Youth Baseball League (named to honor his father), every boy gets to play.

They learn good baseball skills. They bat in turn, no matter the score. They learn how to win, how to lose, and how to support and encourage each other. If a child has a family vacation scheduled, never mind, they are still welcome when in town. To assist him, Terry entices former members of his HCC teams, young adults from the neighborhood, who have gone on to college.  HMMM…great role models for the kids, who also learn about giving back and having fun in the process.

What a life giving legacy…

May we all be inspired to participate in the new realities of aging…growth, opportunity, and contribution and “unretirement.”

May we all find our own versions of meaning and purpose as we live through the remaining days of our third life chapter.

 

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