An active life
Jasmine was loving the freedom that being newly retired was giving her. Though it was the middle of winter she was enjoying getting out, being fit, healthy and sporty. Thanks to Albany Mega Centre she had all the clothes, shoes and equipment she needed for a new active life in retirement.
After nearly 50 years of working, retirement sneaked up on Jasmine sooner than she expected. She remembered thinking it was years away and suddenly she was 65. Initially, she thought she was too young to be at home all day and resisted making the move. A few months back, as she once again fought the traffic on her way to work, she started to question why she did this every day. She certainly didn’t need the money and she didn’t particularly like the work. Her husband passed away a few years back and the kids had created their own lives. She’s spent many years looking after everyone and it was time she did something for herself. Jasmine drove into work and told them she was retiring.
A month later she was at home making plans for a life in retirement that was physically, emotionally and intellectually active and fulfilling. She joined the local walking group and within a few weeks, she made new friends, played tennis, and even played golf for the first time. She loved her new lifestyle and made the decision to give it 100%. The result was a sporty shopping day at Albany Mega Centre.
First stop was the Golf Warehouse for a set of clubs. She’d been here before, many years ago when her husband was still alive. She felt as out of place today as she did then. One of the young sales assistants took her under his wing and talked her through all the different options and the benefits and downsides of each. She found a set that she thought was a good size for her small frame. The sales assistant, sensing her limited knowledge, also advised her on accessories, like balls, tees, score cards, and gloves. He also set her up for golf lessons. Jasmine loved the idea that she was now 'one of those ladies who golf'.
From there, Jasmine popped across the carpark to Rebel Sport. She’d been to Albany Mega Centre hundreds of times but had never been into this store. It felt so big so she just followed the running track around the store until it reached the sports shoes section. Who knew there were so many shoes to choose from? With the help of a friendly sales assistant, she found a pair of walking shoes that would also be good for golf. She also got a second pair that she could wear for tennis. Speaking of tennis, the next purchase was a new racket. She could now throw away her old wooden racket that told everyone that she hadn’t played in years.
The last leg was down to The Warehouse. Jasmine rummaged through their huge selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sports socks, and leggings. These are things she washed, ironed, and folded for the rest of the family many times but she hadn’t owned too many of her own over the years. She tried them all on and looked in the mirror. She looked like a very different, much younger, person. She loved that.
Returning home with all her new purchases, Jasmine felt excited by the prospect of having the time to enjoy life in a way she’d never been able to before. She rang her friend, Daisy, and told her all about the sports equipment and activewear she purchased at Albany Mega Centre. They made a plan to go for a power walk down to Albany Mega later in the week.