Retirement can be a perfect time to learn something new. Look at former President George W. Bush, who began to paint after leaving office in 2009.
Bush told friends and family he found the art form relaxing. He hired a teacher to help him, telling her he wanted to discover his “inner Rembrandt.”
After painting a series of portraits of military personnel he’d met and wanted to honor, Bush published “Portraits of Courage,” a book of those works.
“I know each person I painted,” said the former president. “I was thinking about their backgrounds, their service, their injuries and their recovery.”
Linda, a 69-year-old widow, also chose something new after a major life change. Ten years ago she was deep in depression after the sudden death of her husband. She recently wrote to tell me, “I was blessed to find a wonderful group of people that helped put a smile on my face.”
Linda joined the Boots and Slippers Square Dance Club of Simi Valley.