30 Apr What I Thought Retirement Would Be… and What It Became
Five Years Later: What “Retirement” Really Became
Today marks five years since I officially “retired.”
At the time, I thought I knew exactly what that meant.
Less structure. More freedom. Maybe some travel. More boating. More golf. A chance to slow things down after years of building a career.
But if the past five years have taught me anything, it’s this:
Retirement isn’t the end of something. It’s the beginning of something you didn’t fully see coming.
The Plan vs. Reality
Like most people approaching retirement, I had a picture in my mind of what life would look like.
What I didn’t fully account for was how quickly priorities shift when you have a loved one who depends on you in a deeper way.
For me, that’s Kevin.
His needs didn’t pause when my career did. If anything, I suddenly realized how important it was to plan for Kevin’s future when Ruth and I are longer living or able to care for him.
And over time, that responsibility turned into something bigger than just day-to-day care.
I wanted to share Kevin’s story while advocating for the broader special needs community by raising awareness.
From Free Time to Purpose
What started as “extra time” slowly turned into something far more meaningful.
Conversations turned into ideas.
Ideas turned into initiatives.
And eventually, those initiatives turned into a platform to share meaningful experiences and information that helped my family, and hopefully others along the way.
That’s how KevAdvotech was born.
Not as a business. Not as a brand.
But as a way to share, advocate, and build awareness around a reality that so many families are navigating—often quietly.
Along the way, I also discovered something unexpected— how much I truly enjoy writing and podcasting.
It became another outlet to tell Kevin’s story, highlight others, and give a voice to experiences that often go unheard.
And something I didn’t expect when I started sharing Kevin’s story….I began hearing from families just like ours—from all over the country.
Different locations. Different circumstances. But so many of the same challenges, concerns, and hopes.
Those shared experiences created real connections.
And in many ways, we helped each other—by learning, encouraging, and simply knowing we weren’t alone.
A Community I Didn’t Expect
One of the biggest joys over the past five years has been the people.
The Villages is known for a lot of things—but what I’ve experienced firsthand is a community that shows up.
I’ve met parents, caregivers, volunteers, and advocates who are doing incredible work—often behind the scenes. People who don’t ask for recognition, but absolutely deserve it.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: There are far more “quiet heroes” in this space than most people realize.
What Retirement Actually Gave Me
Looking back, retirement didn’t give me less to do.
It gave me the space to focus on what matters most to me. It also allowed me the time to learn new things and explore topics of interest more deeply.
It allowed me to:
- Be more present for my family
- Get involved in meaningful work
- Help shine a light on the underserved special needs community
- Connect with families across the country walking a similar path
- And build relationships that truly make a difference
That’s a trade I would make every time.
Five Years In…
If you had asked me five years ago what retirement would look like, I would have given you a very different answer.
And I would have been wrong.
Because what I’ve found is far more interesting:
Not a slower life… but a more purpose driven one.
And today, there’s something even more powerful to point to— My Special Place is no longer just an idea. It’s real.
A community that will soon provide 44 homes for adults with special needs here in The Villages.
I’m incredibly grateful—and proud—to be part of a passionate team that brought this long-term dream to life.
While I am honored to contribute in any way necessary, it has been the leadership, drive, and persistence of others, especially our President (Kristy Sullivan) and Vice President (Debbie Beaucaire) who truly carried us across the finish line.
A vision that began in 2018 by the original Founders of My Special Place (Kirk Miller and John Maciarz)… grew through shared experiences… and became reality because so many believed it was possible. I hitched myself to this special wagon in early 2019 after being introduced to these wonderful people. And its been an honor and pleasure to see the fruits of such an emotional journey that has been filled with highs and lows.
We have so much yet to do in the next phase as we prepare to accept residents, while continuing to organize important fundraisers for additional funds needed.
But all of this is a powerful reminder of what can happen when purpose meets action—and when a community comes together around something that truly matters.
Before closing this chapter, I would be remiss not to look back even further.
My 40-year career in IT wasn’t just about work—it was about people.
The colleagues, mentors, partners, and clients I had the privilege to work alongside… the relationships built… the lessons learned… the paths that crossed along the way.
They all meant something to me.
And in many ways, they helped shape who I am today.
For that, I am forever grateful.
But more than anything, that journey taught me something even deeper— how important family truly is.
I’m grateful for the time I was able to spend with my mom during the past few years of her life before she passed last September. I tried to be there for both my mom and dad, to help make their increasingly difficult health challenges less stressful to navigate. My 86 year-old father and I continue to deepen our relationship in these latter years, which has become even more special to me.
And to all those who have been part of this journey—both along the way and in these past five years— a special thank you to old friends and new.
If you’ve been part of this journey—past or present—thank you.
And if the past five years are any indication…
We’re just getting started.