Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Retirement: A Mix of Mourning and Celebration
Stephen and Karen Kreider Yoder, a retired couple, share their experiences of the first few years of retirement.
They talk about how retirement brings a mix of mourning and celebration.
They miss their careers, friends, and family, but they also find joy in new activities like biking and spending time with their remaining family.
They have to deal with health issues and downsizing their belongings, which can be both sad and happy.
They believe that mourning and celebrating are both important parts of moving forward in retirement.
Stephen and Karen Kreider Yoder retired in 2022 and share their experiences in a monthly column.
They reflect on the mix of mourning and celebration that comes with retirement, such as missing their careers but enjoying new activities.
They discuss the emotional impact of downsizing and going through their belongings, which brings both sadness and joy.
Health issues like eyesight problems, tinnitus, and forgetfulness are part of their retirement journey.
They find comfort in family connections and reminiscing about the past, which helps them transition from grief to gratitude.
- Who
- Stephen and Karen Kreider Yoder, retired couple
- What
- Reflections on the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement
- When
- After retiring in 2022, with ongoing reflections
- Where
- San Francisco and Iowa
- Why
- To share their experiences and insights on the complexities of retirement
- Authors
- Stephen Kreider Yoder and Karen Kreider Yoder
- Retirement Year
- 2022
- Current Location
- San Francisco
- Notable Activities
- Biking, Downsizing, Family Reunions
- Health Concerns
- Eyesight, Tinnitus, Forgetfulness