My Official Goodbye

I wish you well in whatever your future holds for you. The thought of not boating is on my mind from time to time but it won't be by choice. I'm hitting 65 soon and a few health issues to boot but I'm thinking time for a smaller more manageable boat for now. The post you wrote is heartfelt so I'm not going to try to convince you to change your mind but encourage you to find something that will keep you engaged in something else fulfilling. As others have said stop by once in a while to say hi I'm sure we'll be here.
 
brewster16 said:
That was a really beautiful piece you wrote. You've honored your past, present and future with these words...Shawn we wish you well.
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cant say more than this.. if ever in FT Myers you have day on the water with us.. god speed
 
Shawn. I will not forget how welcoming and informative you were when first I joined this forum. You will be missed.
 
NorCal, one thought before you decided to leave. You have a huge amount of boating knowledge tucked away beneath your hat. Please stick with CSR and pass that knowledge on to a younger generation of boaters. They will need it and appreciate it.

In the meanwhile, my friend....
Fair winds, calm seas and blue skies.
 
Shawn, take care and I hope you can enjoy the slower phase. It was a pleasure meeting you and knowing my 'old' 1989 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer was in good hands ! I know you enjoyed that boat as much as I did ! Best Wishes, Scott
 
I've enjoyed your posts over the years. You're definitely one that has always been open to giving advice to others. Your recent post the other day caught me by surprise and now it makes sense. Definitely frustrating to sit on the sidelines and not doing something you enjoy. Wishing you the best moving forward. Don't be a stranger.

Doug
 
Your post kind of hit home for me in a different way. Our current boat we purchased down in Atlanta from a gentleman who boated until the fine ripe age of 85 and finally made the decision to give it up. I have told my wife my goal is also to boat until I am 85 I pray the good Lord helps me reach my goal.
 
Well I swore I wasn’t going to be one of those guys that says good bye and then comes back on. However, I never realized how effing bored I was going to be 4 weeks after a 4 level anterior cervical fusion. So sitting here in a cervical collar, tired of watching daytime tv and reading I thought I’d take a look and see if there were any responses to my last post.

I have to say that I was moved to tears by the extremely kind and thoughtful comments from you guys that took the time to comment. I’m overwhelmed.

The cervical fusion surgery is the first of several procedures that are in my future. Next will be an L4-5/S1 fusion then at least one hip replacement. I’ve never been one to just sit and while I’m going slightly bonkers during this recovery, my understanding is the recovery from the lumbar fusion will be much worse. And I’m not a patient patient. I’m actually grateful I don’t have a boat as I would not be able to even maintain it right now.

There are a few comments that I will individually respond to but know that I deeply appreciate every response.

Thank you.
 
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ocgrant said:
Shawn,

God bless and you will be missed. I am in Now Orleans monthly and if you ever would like to "have a beer" and talk boating I am always looking for a "friend at the bar" that shares the same destination boating passions.
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Thank you. Once I get a bit more mobile I would love to meet. When I am, I will send you a PM with my contact info.
 
my3sons said:
NorCal, I’ve enjoyed your posts over the years. I too am a destination boater and prefer destinations I’ve never been before, as I’m sure you are and do too. Always like reading and hearing about others cruising adventures. I was super excited for you when you bought the Kha Shing, but we all know, some perhaps too well, that fate deals the cards and we just make the best of what we get. As others have said, I hope that boating may be in your future if you choose, but either way, don’t be a stranger here, and if your thoughts of trying the RV path come about, keep the screen name on the rv forums, I’ll keep an eye out for you.
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Thank you Mark. The Kha Shing was to be our retirement home but as you said, fate dealt different cards. When we left California for Louisiana I truly thought we’d buy another big boat but my wife decided she was done with big boating. And with my physical status currently, she may have been smarter than I. She retires in 2 years and hopefully we will be in the position to do the RV thing for a while. Thanks again.
 
Gofirstclass said:
NorCal, one thought before you decided to leave. You have a huge amount of boating knowledge tucked away beneath your hat. Please stick with CSR and pass that knowledge on to a younger generation of boaters. They will need it and appreciate it.

In the meanwhile, my friend....
Fair winds, calm seas and blue skies.
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Thank you Mike. I’ve often felt over the years that you and I had/have a lot in common and could have been friends if we lived near each other. I was born and raised in Seattle so just the PNW connection is a start. Take care.
 
Scott S. said:
Shawn, take care and I hope you can enjoy the slower phase. It was a pleasure meeting you and knowing my 'old' 1989 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer was in good hands ! I know you enjoyed that boat as much as I did ! Best Wishes, Scott
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Scott, thank you. The pleasure was mine and thanks again for the extras for the boat. My wife and I were just saying the other day that we wished we still had the old 340. She was an awesome boat. Be well.
 
Great post @NorCal Boater, I'm glad to see you decided to return. I hope all goes well with your health and surgeries.

When boating ends has been on my mind as well as when does tennis end for me. Both are a huge part of my social life, really my life. All of my closest friends are from both. After climbing around on the boat yesterday for the sea trial I can barely walk today because of my aching knee. Lots of anti-inflammatories and ice and I'll get back out there.
 
NorCal Boater said:
Well I swore I wasn’t going to be one one guys that says good bye and then comes back on. However, I never realized how effing bored I was going to be 4 weeks after a 4 level anterior cervical fusion. So sitting here in a civically collar, tired of watching daytime tv and reading I thought I’d take a look and see if there were any responses to my last post. …..
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Wow - I’m going in for a anterior cervical discectomy fusion d4-c5 and c5-c6 on Wednesday. I hope you are recovering well. My wife won’t let me talk to anyone about it at this point :). One of my friends tried to talk me out of it, but he is not the one in agony! Glad you checked back in.
 
NorCal - you have been a great source of knowledge and guidance that I have greatly appreciated over the years. Let your continued contributions be part of your recovery. There are a number of veteran Boaters on this forum who, while being boatless because varied factors, continue to contribute and share - your knowledge and experiences is part of that - please stick around. I am fairly confident in saying you have a boat ride waiting for you in any city where Club members tie their lines.
 
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