The corporation she was working for -- a manufacturer of airplanes here in Seattle (but who shall remain nameless!) -- was just like most corporations. They get the workers thinking that they absolutely have to keep working until they die or are no longer needed by the corporation. Usually it is the latter!!

I just started pickling her thinking into a different direction. Basically she and her husband already had plenty of money to live on the rest of their lives. It was pretty obvious to me. She started doing some research, and the more she dug, the more she realized I was right. I mean after that many years in the 'system', there better be a nest egg!!

So she up and quit. Actually she arranged a 3-year temporary leave of absence so she could officially 'retire' without losing any benefits. Two months later her husband did the same thing!

She is stressing right now as she adjusts to living without a regular income. This is a pretty typical stage I have seen lots of retired folks go through. It usually lasts about 6 months. Heck, I went through it, and I didn't even have a regular job!

But in a couple of more months she'll come back out on the other side and wake up one morning realizing she is just fine. The sky ain't gonna fall. She ain't gonna end up in a ditch. And her lifestyle is gonna take a huge leap forward! Actually, that part has already happened. She is waaay more relaxed (even as she stresses!), and is much happier.