We have all seen them, the male species past retirement age. This slice of life has seemingly dropped through the cracks of society. Shuffling, staring and sitting at the malls, parks, and of course, their homes ( if they’re lucky enough to have one). Sitting and shuffling, shuffling and sitting; with no particular place to go, these men give off the aura of being zombielike. Never before has there been so much to do in leisure time with so many people to do it. Yet everywhere I go, I encounter this sad segment of population that appears to have no interests, hobbies, or hidden talents, let alone job or spending money. And this is not something new- the economy has relatively little to do with this phenomenon.

During the final thirty years of my father- in law’s life (he lived to be 93), I never saw him actively engaged in anything. His entire world rotated around three chairs: one in front of the television, one on the front porch, and one on the back porch. His wife attended to all their creature comforts. She had her own interests. But he had none. Not until he was gone, did I realize that my own family came and went, grew up and left, and had actually passed through his house countless times that I realized we never actually saw him do anything. He would sit, sometimes sigh, and shuffle off to a new site to stare with his hands folded over his belly. There was nothing preventing him from being active. He was in perfect health, not depressed, and not handicapped. He was just not interested in anything since he put down the melting tongs at the steel mill. I think this is pretty scary stuff ! A whole wide wonderful world out there and nothing floats your boat? Now his son has retired and can’t seem to find the right fit with a hobby, leisure time etc. A whole lot of sitting – I see a pattern developing here. That sound you hear is me LEAVING.