All passion spent...perhaps

I read this only the other day.
What does it mean?
All passion spent.
What does it mean?

I’ve retired. Well almost.
My love for nursing slowly being replaced by something else.
The grief palpable.
The death of a career, a poignant moment in one’s life.

All passion spent?
Perhaps, but not quite.

Memories unfold.
Stories told of a life full of promises.
Most coming true.
I’m grateful.

Most settling within a place of deep love.
My love for nursing.
Through tears, I will watch as my career comes to a slow and natural end.
That’s okay. I think

I’m happy to accept it can’t go on forever.
Retired nurse, that’s ok.
Even if it isn’t an official title.
Unlike registered nurse, protected by law.

It’s a long way off.
1st March 2029
The day I will hand back my registration.
The day I will hand in my uniform.

The day I will remove my cape.
My hat. My fob watch.
My buckled belt and lay them to rest.
If only metaphorically speaking.

I imagine the tweets I will send out.
The applause I will receive.
The smile emojis. Thumbs up.
Is that all, for 40 years in nursing.

A lot will happen before then.
New adventures will unfold.
New opportunities will emerge
I intend to take them all.

But first, I must accept that it will happen.
As long as I am alive, it will happen.
And if I am dead, it’s already happened.
So that too is fine. It will have to be.

Still I hope my legacy will live on.
Through my writing
Through my love for nursing.
At long last all passion spent?

Perhaps, but not quite.