An E-mail from my friend, Seattle trial lawyer Jan Peterson, about retirement in response to my last  post about it prompted me to search for this wonderful prayer which captures so well a healthy attitude about retirment generally:

Prayer of an Aging Jesuit

Dearest Lord, teach me to grow old gracefully. Help me to see that my community does me no wrong when gradually it takes from me my duties; when it no longer seems to seek my views

Rid me of my pride in all the "wisdom" I have learned. Rid me of the illusion that I am indispensable.

Help me in this gradual detachment from earthly things to grasp the meaning of your law of time.

Teach me, in this turnover of work and workers, to discern a striking expression of life’s constant renewal under the impulse of your providence.

And please, Lord, let me still be useful, contributing to the world of my optimism, adding my prayers to the joyful fervor and courage of those who now take their turn at the helm.

Let my lifestyle now become one of humble and serene contact with the world in change, shedding no tears for the past; making of my human sufferings a fit of reparation to all my brothers.

Let my leaving the field of action be simple and natural – like a glowing, cheerful sunset.

Lord forgive me if only now in my tranquility I begin to know how much you love me, how much you’ve helped me.

And now, finally, may I have a clear, deep understanding of the joyful destiny you have prepared for me, guiding my every step from the first day of my life. Lord, teach me to grow old…

This prayer first appeared in the newsletter of the Venice-Milan providence in May 1973 and has since been translated and widely reprinted.