Grab the moment

EasyT
EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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edited May 2018 in General Chat #1

You never know what is round the corner in life and so make the most of what you have.

11 months ago I went for a walk with Fliss and a good friend of mine - Bob. Bob is about 65. 

I don't see as much of Bob as I would like but do see him about 2 dozen times a year and we speak often on the phone when I am at home.

The walk was up over a sandstone outcrop on Wirral peninsula and to a park where we had a bite before walking back. Probably 3 mile plus. I suspect that we averaged no more than 1.5 miles an hour. We stood on the top of a sandstone outcrop looking across the Wirral and I said to Bob 'Enjoy Pal - who knows if we will be able to do the same next year'. In June or July Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Bob phoned tonight having checked his phone and seeing my call that he had missed and hit the dial button. Whilst we were talking it took him more than a minute to walk the 8 feet from the handset base to his chair. He spent two nights this week sleeping in his electric powered reclining chair as he was unable to climb stairs to go to bed. He has a carer each morning to help him to get dressed. 

About 7 years ago Bob cycles from North of France to the South on a three week break sleeping mainly in a small ridge tent and following the canal system. Probably 600 miles with a day or two stops on the route. 

3 years ago Bob went to Menorca and walked The Path of Horses.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2177297/Spain-walking-holidays-Magical-Menorca-foot.html

Bob spent part of his life working on one of the Spanish Islands as a painter and decorator and I know that there was another walk that he had planned. 

So as Bob would say 'carpe diem'

Comments

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #2

    Thanks for sharing this Alan.  It sounds like Bob has had a really active life.  The change must really be difficult for him, but it does go to show we must all make the most of our time.  As you say: carpe diem.

    David 

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,300 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #3

    Concur 100%. We love walking and are all too aware that our capabilities are slowly declining. Fingers crossed that it remains slow, but as with Bob one never knows. A very good thought for the day ET. Seize each and every one.

  • cariadon
    cariadon Forum Participant Posts: 861
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    edited February 2018 #4

    Agree totally, A neighbour has Parkinsons, a cruel disease, he was awful at the beginning, then he had meds than agree with him, his speech improved, and he would walk his dog, his consultant changed his meds and he was all over the place, he's had them changed back but he's had to start all over again.

    We don't know when ill health comes knocking on the door so we must make the most of what we enjoy while we can.

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2018 #5

    Totally agree as we get older we need  to enjoy to live life while we can, as time does not wait,i thought i was still quite good at walking until  a walk home from Town, and am now overtaken by commuters that in the past it was easy to keep in front of surprised

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited February 2018 #6

    undecided "This 'aint no practice run,this IS the real thing"

           "If you can't do it while you're here,"

           "you won't do it at all" surprised.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2018 #7
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited February 2018 #8

    Sadly the writing is on the wall, and the finger having writ, moves on.

    Somewhat akin to the relative speed of time - the older you get the faster it goes.

    Carpe Diem indeed, just counting my blessings that remain.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited February 2018 #9

    I used to 'worry for England' over stupid things and 'What ifs...' Totally pointless exercise! Couldn't agree more with OP. get on with life. This is no rehearsal.

    Last week I was skiing in the French Alps, tomorrow I'm catching a plane to Lanzarote. I used to worry about money. Now I think if it runs out whats the worst that can happen? Thanks for the reminder Easy T.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #10

     I used to worry about money. Now I think if it runs out whats the worst that can happen?

    You might have to deliver Pizzas' and live in a caravan.

    But I'm doing all the things not able to do when I was working and seeing places I hadn't the time for. It's certainly the best time of my life unfortunately its towards the end of it.

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant Posts: 4,754 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #11

    So sorry to hear this. Parkinsons can be very cruel. Definitely make the most of every day. So pleased to hear that your friend made the most of his active years

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited May 2018 #12

    Since the end of Feb Bob has been mainly housebound. He has had an electric operated bed, his 'electric' chair and a trip to the loo has been a 20 minute assault course with rollator to make the fifteen foot journey. At the start of the week Bob has had to go into a nursing home. Throughout his rapid decline Bob has mustered more dignity and humour than I could ever hope to aspire to. 

    We are still on holiday at present but hope to visit Bob soon after our return home on Monday.

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