Retirement proved risky to John T. Ahern's mental health. He was able to keep his body active. But his mind needed a challenge. Hence, John's pursuit in writing his first novel, The Carnation Street Life Estate.
Sage old advice is that one should write about what one knows. Experiences from John's past form the background knowledge of his novel. The formative years of John's life center around Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. But shortly before his senior year of high school, his family moved to California.
John graduated from Corona del Mar High School and went on to attend The University of California, Irvine. It was there that John competed in track, earned his degree, and completed his teaching credential. But more importantly it was there that he met his wife, Lynn.
The young couple lived in married student housing while John went to multiple interviews in quest of his first teaching job. Until as many advised 'it only takes one.' That one was where John would spend the next thirty seven years. He was hired at El Modena HS in Orange, CA.
John and Lynn's two sons would eventually attend this high school. The years at El Mo were very rewarding, especially those he spent with the Academy - Collaborative Technology Program. Retiring was not easy for this teacher.
The first year of retirement found John back at El Mo volunteering with senior projects. The following year, he began driving a delivery route very similar to the own highlighted in his novel. The story genesis actually formulated due to that part time job.
At present, John and Lynn are closing in on their forty-fourth anniversary. They are proud of the young men that will always be their boys. They also have two more boys they love dearly, their grandsons. John still works part time. But now he works for Chapman University as a supervisor to student teachers. He is also an adult fellowship leader at his church. He would be remiss if he didn't mention how that group called Homebuilders have helped sustain his family through prayer and kindness over the years.
Lastly, The Carnation Street Life Estate is not a memoir. John T. Ahern is not Frank Wilson. Although some of Frank's problems with getting up off the ground are also based on John's experience.