Ed and I recently had the opportunity to interview two long-time, close friends of mine, Roger and Michelle Love, in their beautiful home on the Toms River in Ocean Gate, NJ.

Roger and Michelle have been extremely active members in the Westfield community for years, each involved in their own areas of interest but both major contributors to this small New Jersey community.

Roger has been on the "Y" Board for 44 years--probably the longest-standing member in its history, plus he has graced the boards of the United Fund of Westfield, the Boosters, and the prestigious Athletic Hall of Fame. In his new hometown of Ocean Gate, he is Chairman of the Land Use Board and past Commodore and Board Member of the local Ocean Gate Yacht Club.

Michelle worked with Special Education committees for many years while her children were in school, the historical society in Westfield and Ocean Gate, along with PTO activities and numerous school activities for their children. Family is Michelle's first and foremost commitment, including her mother who lives in Coaldale, PA.

Together Michelle and Roger form an impressive, loving role model for their kids and for their friends. They truly enjoy one another's company.

Roger started in real estate in 1969, eventually owning his own Century 21 Taylor and Love Agency which was very successful. Roger was the front man, and Michelle was right behind him, handling the less-obvious parts of the business. Again, together they made an impressive team.

They sold the business two years ago, and officially joined the ranks of retirement--almost. Roger transferred his real estate license to the shore area and still shows houses and does appraisals.

The new "not-being-in-charge" status has allowed the Love's to go to Florida for a couple of months in the winter. They have a new-found freedom they didn't have before, but they also have big decisions in front of them. To stay or not to stay; that is the question. With some family members moving to the warmer climate of North Carolina where they started a new business, and having more grandchildren intending to go south as well, do they stay in their beautiful home with the ever-increasing taxes and continued threat of another hurricane or do they travel south and relocate?

Those are questions many retirees find themselves facing. Do we leave our familiar surroundings and long-time friends to be closer to our kids or, in spite of our dwindling number of friends, do we stay where we are?

When we asked Roger what he regarded as the best part of retirement, he immediately responded, "People and activities. Being involved!" The commonality of that response among the people we have interviewed intimates the vital importance of "community" for the vast majority of retirees.

Roger and Michelle are busier than ever--driving long stretches most fall weekends in order to see their grandson play football for Monmouth University, driving from their home to Westfield to continue with their commitments here, to visit doctors, to visit friends, to help with their children in this area, including many of the 12 grandkids who also have soccer and football games.

Uncommitted time is not in abundance for this very busy couple. They are "doers." They are "go-getters." They are dedicated to all members of their family, to whom they bring such love and much laughter. They are "retired" in the official sense of the word; but they are far from being idle. They continue to make a difference in the lives of those they touch!