When people retire, some may think that means you are now free to drift along and do nothing. That, in my opinion, is a recipe for disaster.

The happiest people in retirement I have found are those who still have purpose, want to stay engaged and remain relevant. “Relevant” meaning, in general, still making a difference in life.

When you are young, you don’t even think much about being relevant because everything you do is very relevant. Raising kids, holding down a job, getting an education, paying the bills, fixing up the house — whatever you are doing is immediately relevant. While you are doing all of this, you are probably also involved in the local community, planning for your kids’ future and putting money away for your own eventual retirement.

I know that I might be “preaching” a bit, which may go back to my days in seminary, but that is okay. If you are over the age of 65 and retired, you need to stay engaged.

I remember a woman who volunteered at a nonprofit where I was working. She was in her late 70s and every Tuesday she would come in to volunteer as a docent with a new scarf around her neck and sparkle in her eyes. She wasn’t done with life. She still wanted to give back to the community. Her attitude lifted everyone around her.

Others stay “relevant” by staying involved in what they loved to do before retiring. I remember my Dad and how he loved farming. It was more than a job. Even after my brother took over running the farm, he still stayed involved. He loved being on a tractor mowing hay or feeding the calves morning and night. I remember once when he and my Mom went to Florida to stay for a month. After two weeks he said: “We’re coming home.” When I pushed him about the decision, he finally said: “Well, I miss the cows.” He was involved in the farm nearly to the end of his life.

The passion that some people have for gardening, reminds me of my Dad’s love for farming. Gardening can be a way to remain relevant.

Sometimes your family is what keeps you involved. Though you don’t have children to raise, you may have grandchildren that you can spoil. What better thing is there to do than be worried and involved with them?

And, yes, I’ll admit that I need and seek involvement. Why do I write these articles? It is true that I like to write and stay engaged in the public conversation around here. But, at its heart, I think writing for me is a way to stay relevant, to stay engaged. Which is to say, I expect that you will have to put up with a few more of these articles.

So, if you want to live a long and fruitful life, stay involved. There are only so many rounds of golf you can play, only so many trips you can go on, only so many excursions to the mall or shopping center to be made. After that, you will still want to make a difference, to have a reason to get up in the morning.

Staying relevant, staying involved is a good recipe for retirement!

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.