Make someone's day

[tmhudson2]

This is the first thread I’ve started . . . .

Yesterday afternoon I took my son and a friend of his out on the boat for a brief cruise and a swim. Son’s friend’s Dad is dying of complications of diabetes, and he needs to get out of the house away from TV and computer and do stuff, so son and friend played a little golf in the morning, went to the Y after lunch to shoot hoops, then out on the boat followed by dinner with the Squadron for sea stories night. Son’s friend tells one of the best stories, and gets a prize to take home. He had a great day in an otherwise sucky summer.

All this got me to thinking. (I know, that can be dangerous!) We are so damned fortunate to have our boats to enjoy life, and there are so many opportunities where we can share our good fortune. Often it doesn’t take much effort to make someone else’s day.

 

[MLauman]

Nice post. Just awarded my first points. :thumbsup:

 

[tmhudson2]

I didn't post to get points, but thank you anyway. As I get older, I get enjoyment out of sharing what I've got. The name on our transom says it all.

 

[In Two Deep]

It is amazing how complacent we become and how we take for granted the thinks we are fortunate enough to have. Being on the boat is such a routine for us, but I always feel some sense of gratification when I have guest on board. A typical day on the boat for us is usually a very special day for our guest. It is nice to share the "wealth."

 

[midway]

This is a good thing you have done and I am sure it was appreciated. It is something we should all do more of.

 

[Ringy Dinghy]

We sometimes take for granted how blessed we are, until we see what others are facing. What a great day you and your son provided.

 

[Gunn]

All this got me to thinking. (I know, that can be dangerous!) We are so damned fortunate to have our boats to enjoy life, and there are so many opportunities where we can share our good fortune. Often it doesn’t take much effort to make someone else’s day.

You got that right. I bought our boat for exactly that reason; to enjoy life, get me out of the house instead of working on the house, and have something to do as a family, together. Best decision I have ever made so far.

Here is a photo of my Dad a little over a year ago, having a great time.

If you look closely you'll see he's trying to be agressive and get it over the wake, the smile on his face, and that he has absolutely no hair. He was going through chemotherapy treatment from a reoccurance of advanced kidney cancer. Sadly, he passed away eight months after this photo was taken at the young age of 53. But we had a fantastic day that afternoon.

Tom

 

[Hampton]

Thank you Tom for sharing that. I'm sure it hurts to think about it, but you did the right thing to get out and enjoy life with the ones you love while you can (I hope that sounds right). My next door neighbor of 11 years, and adopted family (we adopted each other's families as our own) is in the terminal stages of Prostate Cancer. He was given 2 years to live almost 4 years ago. Treatment has become too painful for him.

I take the time to go next door and sit down and talk. We enjoy the time with he and his family. My goal is to have no regrets. His daughter recently visited and thanked me for all we do for them. I don't think of it as doing anything but being neighborly. I help them with physical stuff and they take care of the pets when we're on the boat. With any luck, he'll still be coming over and visiting for years to come.

 

[Gunn]

Thanks John. And a great story you shared. I'm sure it means a lot to your neighbor and their family. Cancer sucks, plain and simple. My Dad made the best of it; you'd have never known, up until the last couple of weeks.

Anyway, we owe it to those who are struggling to let 'em get out and have a good time, even for just a little while; it certainly helps.

Tom