Once again I am inspired by reading comments. I have written about this sometime in the distant past.
Back in my homebuilding days (this would have been 1992 or 1993) I was working with a talented young construction manager Scott. He had everything, he was tall, blond, athletic, beautiful wife, a good job with a company that respected the construction managers.
We were talking in the office one afternoon, and I was describing my second trip to Europe, Orlando to Atlanta, Atlanta to Amsterdam, three nights in Amsterdam, then onto Paris for five nights, then fly home via Amsterdam, and back in the office the next morning. It was a whirlwind of new experiences. My first trip up the Eiffel Tower, being turned away at the door of Maxims, shopping the January sales in Paris department stores, the Louvre, and the streets of Paris. Memories that have lasted for decades. And this was just 8 months after the week in London.
Scott commented that he and his wife wanted to go to Europe, but they were going to wait "until they could do it properly and be gone for a month." I urged him to go when he could, even if it was only for a few days. Go now, and go often, don't wait.
A couple of months later he collapsed playing softball and died on the field of an aortic aneurysm. He bled out internally in a matter of minutes from a condition he never knew he had.
All I could think, is he waited too long to go and do what he wanted to go and do.
I have crossed the Atlantic for trips as short as six nights, because that was what I could squeeze into the schedule. Until I retired, it was difficult, at times impossible, for me to be away from work for more than two weeks. But I didn't want to wait, Scott waited too long, and he was only about 30 when it was too late.
Take the adventure when you can.
And YES I will keep bugging reminding someone to follow his dreams and book the trip.
Although travel may not be for everyone (some people find it just too stressful), this is great advice. Do what you want to do when you’re able. Don’t put things off for a day that may never come.
ReplyDeleteYou and Yours have followed your dreams, and kept going.
DeleteR.I.P. Scott and to the millions of others who have died unexpectedly in the prime of their lives. Scott may not have got to Europe but he got to a better place where no doubt he is still strumming his harp and flexing his angel wings while floating on a heavenly cloud, admiring his particular view of paradise.
ReplyDeleteAnd will happen to all of us.
DeleteI have done some bad things David so I am bound to end up in "the other place" with flames lapping around me.
DeleteI hear the parties are much better there.
DeleteScott died how my Ray died, albeit Ray at the age of 75. Both were seemingly healthy. I am pleased you have lots of plans for future travel. I don't.
ReplyDeleteYou and Ray traveled a lot, when you could. I can see a day when physically we won't be able to do what we are doing. We can't do today what we could do 10-15 years ago.
DeleteThat is a sad story about Scott but your advice is brilliant. I'm so glad I grab all the travel chances I can.
ReplyDeleteExperiences that last a lifetime.
DeleteYes, we just never know, do we? I too knew a young man, handsome, fit and smart, who dropped dead at 25-ish from an unknown heart condition. Such a shock and so much unlived life.
ReplyDeleteDon't put off until tomorrow, what you can do today.
DeleteThis is a good message to remember not just for travel but for any adventure or experience that might come along. I wish I had explored more when I was young.
ReplyDeleteTreasure what we have experienced, knowing that there will be a time when our ability to travel will slow and end.
DeleteSuch good advice! Before we had kids my husband would schedule his international meetings on Thursdays or Fridays and I'd tag along for the weekend! Jet lag was brutal but I'd do it again today!
ReplyDeleteI think seven of the trips were tied in with conferences or research. We were usually able to make them at least a week.
DeleteAs always, good advice if one can afford it, David.
ReplyDeleteMoney is always a factor in when you can.
DeleteGood advice indeed. I say this a lot to others. However reality is often hard people are not at easy liberty to 'do it now' alas.
ReplyDeleteSlip away for a few days now and then, once the caregiving duties are finished.
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