I retired, packed up and moved to Grecia, Costa Rica in January, 2015. I left without my life partner who continues to work to support the college attendance of his son. Our plan has always been for me to crave out a life in Costa Rica that he could ease into once he retired. I made trips back to the US every 90 days for awhile to satisfy Costa Rica’s VISA requirements. But his visits became almost non existent as he delved into his work in an attempt to fight the loneliness. We didn’t realize that the distance would be so hard on our relationship, especially that first year. The ups, the downs and the stress pushed us to the brink.
Dave has stage three Parkinson’s disease and the lifestyle we sort and so richly deserve has been ripped apart. With the disease’s progression he is vulnerable to dangerous falls and infections. As the disease progressed non motor symptoms including cognitive impairment or dementia, anxiety,depression, fatigue and sleep problems have become disabling. We have decided to part company because of a number of reason but mainly because he’s turned into a man I don’t recognize. I thought it was simply the disease but he’s pushed me away, lied and broken the trust we shared.
When I decided to blog about my retirement journey I intended to create a new entry at least once or twice a week. Seven years later I realize that life seriously got in the way so I’ve decided that it time to live again. Down but by no mean out!