Don’t wait.....life can change in an instant!

[Frank]

I'm sure we all have stories of friends, family or own own lives that from one moment to the next...changed instantly.
Before heading out from the Abacos, I was having a few farewell rums with a sailing buddy Tony and we talked not only of how blessed we both were being there and enjoying life, but also how we both knew the speed at which life can change.
The point was driven home to him during a recent flight back to the States.
He recalled how he was sitting there and thinking about how good life was and how well things had been going. He said that the thought was not even finished when "BANG", down dropped the oxygen masks!
All ended well, the plane landed fine but the event certainly affirmed the notion that each day must be enjoyed and things you want to do should not be put off.
For those on here wanting to go.....GO
Don't put off the things you truly want to do
Life truly can...and does change in a heart beat.

[rorik]

I'll add my thoughts to this, although I generally keep personal details private.

If you think you want to go, then go.
Don't wait for retirement, or a companion, or whatever else the excuse of the day is.
Shut up, pack your gear and go.

I'll be 58 in a couple of weeks. I've spent the last 5 years rebuilding my boat so I can leave and go anywhere I want.
I've always eaten healthily, been a gym rat of some sort all of my life.
Last October I got a surprise diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, and then over the winter lost 30 pounds (which I couldn't really afford to do, given that I started out at 5'11" & 175lbs), followed by dying twice due to massive hemorrhages in December and again in February. This was followed by major surgery with some life changing side effects.
I've gained my weight and strength back, but cruising the world is not going to happen now. It'll just be local sailing, albeit in a cool, overbuilt boat.

Don't wait.
Go.

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

I'm truely sorry to hear about your health problems.  You all are right, life happens while we're busy making other plans.

After 5 years of rebuilding, two of which I couldn't even work on my boat due to major back problems, my boat is finally getting splashed 9-10 days from now.   I told the family I would in all likelyhood take the rest of the summer off.

I'm 63, figure I've got the rest of my life to work.

[CharlieJ]

Understand totally- My boat was damaged in Hurricane Harvey, and due to needing, and having back surgery, I haven't been on board since before the hurricane.She still has damage. Doctors won't allow me to get on board. I just quit using  a walker about 2 weeks ago- using a walking stick now HOPEFUL I can sail,with someone by summers end. But before,  I did a lot of single hand sailing, including way offshore.

So I completely understand. BUT- There'a LOT of outstanding cruising, very close to the states. I spent 3 months in the Bahamas- Wonderful trip

Oh, and I'm 77. Just keep on keeping on

[Frank]

I wasn't going to share this at first, but here goes.
Just before coming home in late March while on Allure, I started peeing more frequently. Figured just the normal "old man" thing. Then one day a spot of blood. I checked my "onboard doctor" book for advice and it was not good. Basically, if a women, probable urinary tract infection, if a man, see doctor immediately...probable cancer.
So....once home, went to doctor ASAP. Tests showed PSA count was good (not prostrate cancer) which led to a specialist, examination, then a bladder scope (NOT fun) which showed something...his words were "I've been doing this for 20yrs....it does not look typically cancerous but there is a spot on the right side of your bladder"  (not good) ..then a couple of weeks ago surgery for a biopsy. He removed the entire spot. Again...really no fun. Felt like I was trying to piss crumbled razor blades after... 
happy ending tho..
After 8 trips to Ottawa for doctors appointments (about 1900 miles total) over 3+mths since landing home, both the biopsy and CT scan came in clear. Lots of sleepless nighs but can finally relax. It's been a very long 3 plus months!
I'm sharing this because during those sleepless nights I took comfort in the fact I've sailed....a lot...
I can tell you life can and does change in an instant!
We are ALL one accident or doctors appointment away from saying "why didn't I?"
Live your life!
Follow your dreams!

[CharlieJ]

good to hear the good news-

and I agree totally- the Pardey's said- go small, go NOW. I've tried. I'm not positive I'll ever cruise again, but I did it three times !!

[Norman]

We;come back to happy times, Frank. 

I am out of aviation medical, but a friend was doing a ferry flight today, round trip, and I asked if I could fly along.  Perfect day, lush green from all of our rain, and the guy that paid for the flight time refused to let me pay part.  I try not to pass up opportunities to fly with other people, whether I share, or mot.

We never know what tomorrow will bring.

The flight was across the Chesapeake Bay, to Easton, and back.  Plenty of sailors out on their sailboats, and they outnumbered the power boats, about 4 to 1.  Light breezes, steady, too.

Perfect for sailing or flying.

Norman

[32adios]

Thanks for sharing that Frank.........I need to take your advice.........

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

Glad to hear you got the all clear. Sure not as much as you did :)

I amazed at the amount of people I've bumped into up here in Maine that just hit 62, bought a boat & are living the the dream. 

[Frank]

Thanks for the comments
I should say that I've learned "living the dream" doesn't necessarily mean buying a boat and taking off ...
It can be as simply as multiple trips with a small trailersailor to varied locations, of simply getting out way more and for longer periods...
Whatever you choose, it ultimately means having less work, more free time, less stress and a simpler life.
The group I cruised with twice this summer with small boats are off again next week. They are a passionate group. Most have small, older, inexpensive boats that they've worked on and have fun with. The creativity working on them IS part of the fun. Big dollars aren't needed to "live the dream".... simply choices to make the right changes in your life to live it more on your own terms...

[SeaHusky]

Big dollars aren't needed to "live the dream"....

One of life's most obvious secrets is that the opposite is often true.

[Frank]

The answer to being active and pursuing passions is "choice"....
plain and simple...
-Jeff, a street musician from Charleston lives on his older (late 70's or early 80's) 30ft  sailboat in SC.  His income from playing is modest. ..yet he chooses, on a strict budget, to come and cruise the Abacos each winter and has done so for many years. He drinks "rum and rain" (rum is cheap there) eats modestly and doesn't do bars or restaurants too often.
-Todd, a manager at a photographer supply biz, chooses a ton of time off work rather than extra $$. He has several small boats, none more than $1000, that he takes on the clubs one week cruises. He is passionate about boats, sailing and loves working on them too. His choices reflect how he wants to live....not generating more dollars. Check out the cruise calander attached. There are many in the club in similar situations. Peter is retired, on a small pension yet gets out regularly on his old Oday Mariner 2+2.
-I had a nice home that I built years ago on a very good street. Though time I paid it off. It's sale funded my southern and western boats. I now live in a 350 ft cabin I built while home. My choice...
That said, my lifestyle could be done on a fraction of my costs. Check kijiji.... There are boats anywhere in the $3-6000 range that are extremely serviceable! Have one in Florida and one out west.... I'll bet with a good search it could be done for less than $10,000. PS...check kijiji Ontario Canada. Our dollar is about 77% of yours so multiply the price times .77 ($1000 costs you $770)
- Several years ago I posted pictures here of a wonderful young couple on an Albin Vega. They purchased it cheaply, did their own sweat equity refit and spent most of the winter in the Abacos on a strict budget. Was great to watch them. They both did odd jobs for extra funds. Most cruisers are getting older and few enjoy going up a mast, scrubbing bottoms or doing teak. There is always work if you want it. After they moved on I later heard they showed up way further south in the Caribbean. I loved seeing them and admired their choices at such a young age. They were following their dream NOT the North American dream.
- the list could go on and on....it truly CAN be done on far less.  I'm simply saying that we all make choices on how we spend our time, spend our money and live our lives.

Cruising club schedule and Todd's sub $1000 boat
He chooses time off work rather than $$
Jeff's 'home' in SC and Abaco cruiser
May just be a 28 or 29 by memory..

[CharlieJ]

And there's James and Rachel (W00dy and Raylay), both in their early 30's, living on Mona, their Westsail 32 that they totally overhauled.  Traveling,, stopping to work jobs as they go.

[SeaHusky]

Since my late teens I have dreamt about cruising/voyaging. I read a lot and took the appropriate courses but I had too much going on to do it then (also I was caught up in the notion that you had to be part of the rat race but I was doing it my way).
The plan was to save enough money to not need to work my way around since I don't have that kind of skills.
However when I was 33 I became ill and have since then litterally worked my way to a chronic state.
I am very grateful for having done all the things I did until then choosing passion before career and high income.
I am now 48 and looking at an early, medical retirement with only a small monthly medical pension.
I had no debt and had saved up enough money to buy and refit my boat. The recession made boat prices plummet so I could afford a really good boat.
So I will be 50-ish, have no real anchors other than my old parents, a good boat and a small monthly income.

Funny how your great loss can put you in the position you really wanted to be all along...