Day 6 of 7 Days of Inspirational Quotes
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover”. —Mark Twain
I remember several years ago being out of town, at a restaurant, and listening to several elderly gentleman talking at their table after a round of golf at a nearby course. I was eating alone and enjoying my lunch while going over some of my accounts. I couldn’t help but hear bits and pieces of their very enlightening conversation:
Man #1 “Joe, how long has it been since you played eighteen?”
Man #2 (Joe) “I don’t know, maybe five or six years. My knees can’t take eighteen. They’re good and busted up after all my jumps in the war, and all that hiking Sue and I used to do. I’m good with nine.”
Man #3 “Were your jumps mainly in Nam or Laos?”
Man #2 (Joe)” I just went where they told me, and prayed that chute would open every time. I broke my leg on a jump in Cambodia, one time, toward the end of the war. Damn thing still gives me a weather forecast!
(Laughter from all the guys.)
Man #4 “Well Joe’s got an excuse for not doing eighteen, Hal. What’s yours? Were you Airborne, too?”
Man #1 (Hal) “You know I wasn’t. I just don’t play eighteen because it takes too long. I like you guys and all, but I don’t have all day. (laughs) Myra probably already has the camper packed and ready to go. We’re gone nearly every weekend May through September! I don’t know who likes to fish more, me or her!”
Man #4 “You go to the same camping place every week, or somewhere different?”
Man #1 (Hal)” Myra charts our course. I just drive. She wants to see all the different lakes and state parks. I keep telling her we could rent a camper up in Alaska, too. Now that would be fun!”
Man #3 “I have to say, it sounds pretty good to me. Charlotte has never been much for travel. Oh we go and visit the kids and grandkids, but I always wish we would’ve taken some trips to see places when we were younger. Joe’s been to Asia courtesy of Uncle Sam. And I remember all the hiking he and Sue used to do out west in Yosemite and Yellowstone. I always wanted to see Yellowstone. There are a lot of places I’d like to see…”
Man #4 “Yeah, Dee and I were talking about taking a cruise. We went on one years ago when the boys were young. Dee’s parents kept them for us. We went to Mexico, and a couple other places. I imagine cruising has changed a lot since those days. We get brochures from some of the lines. If you book early enough you can get a pretty decent rate.”
Man #2 (Joe) “Well now- there’s an idea! How about we talk the girls into a cruise, and we all go together?”
Man #3 “Charlotte would never get on a ship; she barely gets on a plane…”
Man #4 “Maybe she’d consider it if her friends would be there, too. I’ll talk to Dee. She can talk to Charlotte. I know those ships spend a day in each port, and there’s a lot of shopping… (laughter)Why don’t we all meet at our house and you all can take a look at the brochures? We’ll have some dinner, maybe play some cards, let the girls talk, you know.”
Man #1 (Hal) “I think Myra would be up for it. She loves to camp and fish, but she’d love a cruise, too. And we aren’t getting any younger…”
Man #3 “Yeah, Charlotte does love to shop. And gamble…”
Man #2 (Joe) “Charlotte? A gambler? I had no idea! Man, this is sounding better and better!”
(Laughter from all the guys)
I remember leaving the restaurant, making a mental note to check out some cruise brochures. Listening to their conversation of how some wished they’d traveled more, and how their bodies weren’t young like they used to be, made me realize that I, too, wanted to get out and do some fun things with my husband before we were too old to go. We have been traveling more lately, now that our daughters are grown and off on their own, but there’s so much we want to see.
Is there something you’ve always dreamed of doing? Perhaps there’s a place you have always wanted to visit. Add it to your Bucket List, but don’t forget to DO the things on your Bucket List. You can’t just write them down and forget about them. If there is a will there is a way! I’d rather spend the money and have the experience than stay at home with the money. Wouldn’t you? It’s a great big world out there. There’s not only so much to see, but so much to do! Try tobogganing, four-wheeling, horseback riding, skydiving, or zip-lining! Eat in that fancy restaurant you always drive by, and wish you could just try one time! Go see the ocean! Take a cruise. Ride in a helicopter. Take a flying lesson, hike in the mountains, or go deep-sea fishing. Make your dream happen!
Leave this world with no regrets. Listen to Mark Twain’s advice. “Explore, Dream, Discover.”
Tami Loves…leaving the safety of the harbor for the adventure that awaits!
