In the early morning quiet, I felt I was free floating over my former life and the roles I had. And sadly aware of the loss of several cherished relationships. I saw my communities grow smaller as I drifted farther away. I had no moorings, no balance, no terra firma to stand on. I wasn’t in a hot-air balloon—nor was I having a near death experience. It had been nearly a year since I had “officially retired” from my long career. I felt as though I’d untied the last of the ropes which had tethered me to the safety of the life I knew so well. In retirement I lost…