Getting the Most Out of Life
 

I don't normally re-post items that my friends send to me but this one just seems perfect to share with my my new TV friends. Maybe it means more to me today because I went my cousin's funeral earlier today...someone who died way too young, and tomorrow I'm hanging out with my brother-in-law. He's got Alzheimer's and he likely won't remember the day.

Anyway, here goes:

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

One day I had lunch with some friends. Bob, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Bob who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Bob added.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Bob as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Bob. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

I smiled. He asked if he amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?"

He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before."

"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown.

There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."

With that, I called the waitress over. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he's having, only add some more whipped cream!"

Thank you.
 

My deepest sympathies for the passing of your cousin. Please accept my condolences.

And thank you for sharing this lovely story. It actually brought tears to my eyes.

I understand and appreciate this post. Feel this hug.

Thank you for this lovely post.

I plan on spending time with my aunt, (96), who has dementia and is getting less reponsive every day and my uncle ,(soon to be 99), who has an excellent memory but is in a lot of pain. Two great people who had a wonderful life is almost 75 years together.

It is very endearing to see how my uncle is so attentive to the needs of his wife and sad to see the decline of their health.

I agree it is sad to not have quality of life but a big blessing to have them still around to remember how nice they were to everyone and how loved they are.

My deepest sympathies for the passing of your cousin. Please accept my condolences.

Wonderful post
 

What a wonderful post - thank you! We all need reminders like this. I'm very sorry for your loss. You used your grief to share with others - what a special thing.

Thanks for posting
 

Sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you and love your post. It's sad and uplifting all in one!

I understand. My younger first cousin died about this time last year.

Life is short. Eat your dessert first..........and sometimes I do too!

Ditto.Sorry for your loss and thanks for your extremely meaningful post. When you realize the earth has been around for over 4.5 billion years,our time on this planet is less than miniscule.So never regret the things you've done,but regret the things you didn't do when you had a chance.You can't buy more time,nobody i know sells it.Life is far too short to just blend in,"if you obey all the rules,you'll miss all the fun." A relevant quote, that expresses the reason so many of us are moving to the fastest growing small town in this country, TV."You don't stop playing because you grow old,you grow old because you stop playing."Play on villagers and be grateful for every single day,........................another slice of cheesecake please .

This is the message I try to convey to my friends when they look at me funny because I am retiring from a very good job at 59 years old. I can now print this off and just hand it to them when they don't understand how I can do this and in the same sentence, tell them I am going to be moving to TV leaving my kids, friends and grandchildren behind. More and more often I see friends of mine's obituaries that never got the chance to experience the things discussed in your post. Thanks you so much.

:agree: Most of us have probably heard this before: "When a person is on his or her deathbed, no one says, gosh, I wish I had spent more time at work..."

One of my customers in South Africa has this tag line on her e-mails: "Life is not a rehearsal."

I am so sorry for your loss.