Something odd happened when I entered my fifties. I began to read the Obituaries more. And I would see names I recognized. People I knew, some I called friends. I’m not the first person to wonder about their mortality or count the number of years left to some “reasonable” expectation of active life, but still it’s strange. Recently I read of the retirement of a fellow scooter rider in Florida who for the past couple years I have put on a pedestal in my head. He was in his mid-sixties when he began to ride and rode his scooter from Florida to Alaska and back. Was going to do it every year.
And suddenly I read he is selling the scooter—a change in health ending his riding. The circumstances don’t matter but the lesson (for me) does. Don’t wait. Act now. Ride now. I have a lot of dreams that I put on the back burner for a better time. And what’s worse I have a lot of regular things I would like to do, hardly dreams, that I put on the back burner with them. So maybe it is time for a bit more action and a lot less procrastinating.
My wife and I have talked about this. We want to take more time for ourselves. For the things we enjoy. Riding is one of those things for me. So I am going to ride, if only a few extra miles to see the setting sun. Stay tuned for more activity here!
Your photos are amazing. ( see my comment on Gary’s post today ).
I appreciate the reminder. I’m spending so much time teaching riders and at my regular job that home life is being neglected. Our 29th wedding anniversary is coming up. Good time to think about time together.
Heck, maybe we’ll go to the local McDonald’s and I’ll tell them to “biggie size” her order. It IS our anniversary, after all.
Guess the redneck in me still lives!
McDonald’s is the American celebration hall. Kim and I went there immediately after our marriage for the ceremonial Filet O Fish sandwich.
Congratulations on 29 years!
steve
I just found your blog Steve and am reading from the beginning, hence this late comment.
Thank you for this post. I just turned 57, and have decided that I am going to get a scooter and do it now, before it is too late.
I live near Disneyland and the goal is to buy a scooter that will make it to the desert, hot or cold, anytime I feel like riding it- who knows maybe a crosscountry trip one day.
Your blog makes me feel this is possible and that I need to stop wasting precious time.