I have to take a moment to record and acknowledge an unpleasant development. This moment is about as good as any other. On the 4th of January, a day after the first race of the new year, I had to be hospitalized. Last week I was again hospitalized and underwent a couple of surgeries. In the middle of this depressing experience, I realized that my time-on-the-water had been terminated by medical exigencies much earlier than I had thought possible. I could not complete a final year campaigning the best boat I ever owned. My disappointment was deep and profound.
My doctors agreed. So, I have placed my bucket boat, the ultimate Laser-for-the-geriatric-set, on the market.
It has been a wonderful life, pursuing performance in Corinthian sailing, the best individual and team sports out there. Where else can deeper friendships be forged among fellow competitors? Where else can you find your level playing field uniquely disheveled, from one day to the next, by the forces of nature? With your wife by your side every day for 45 years?
I never thought I could live without it, apart from it. But I'm going to try.
Sorry to hear about your health problems and the apparent end of your active racing career.
ReplyDeleteSailing is indeed the greatest individual and team sport known to mankind. Not least because, if we are lucky, we can participate in it for most of our lives. I did contemplate on my own blog a while back the prospect of the "last time." For everything in life there is inevitably a last time. Sometimes we know it when it happens and sometimes we only realize later that we have to say goodbye to another of life's pleasures. As the years get fewer, we need to appreciate the finer things in life more deeply - and it sounds like you did do that with your sailing. Too bad you didn't get to sail the Wyliecat for longer.
I hope you find other pursuits as absorbing and rewarding as sailing in your life after sailing. Keep on blogging, my friend.
Tillerman is so good with this kind of philosophizing........so, what he said. Consider taking a cooking class or two?............
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the point of that? Trophywife is a professional grade chef, and she never took any lessons that I know.
DeletePlus, no one ever put mustard or ketchup on anything she cooked.
DeleteTrophy Wife's cooking ware is much more difficult for me to handle and manipulate than Dazz's tiller!
DeleteIs this decision irreversible? Are you sure it's not premature? Our common friend collapsed yesterday on the docks, working with boats, what he loved doing. He's currently on life support in a coma. But he left nothing on the table. Lived his life to the last minute. What about you?
ReplyDeleteMany people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? To often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.
ReplyDelete~~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Thanks for sharing so openly. We all face that. But I have to think someone like you still has ways to keep yourself active in sailing even if you can't helm. Can you be part of the Race Committee and at least get out on the water? Can you be a judge and participate after? At least keep the blog going - it is read and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteDoc H-D,
ReplyDeleteTake a deep breath and think about it... where do you really want to be? Get out there again!
I wish you all the best.
Tom
Good luck, Doc. I hope it's not the end. But if it is, please continue telling us your stories.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that and hope that you can remain involved in sailing in one form or other and that new, alternative, directions open.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your news Doc and I share Baydog's eloquent comments. Any organisation would be thrilled to have you as a volunteer for the many 'off the water' sailing activities where your experience and enthusiasm would be invaluable. Meanwhile, you could always keep me company back on Virtual Regatta?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good offer. I might take you up on that Paula. After the Premier League is settled. But I promise you, I will buy extra sails and any navigation technology available! Sorry. Us old guys need all the technology we can get our hands on.
DeleteReaders!
ReplyDeleteI am gratified for having received so many supportive, sustaining, and encouraging response in these pages. My progress toward recovery of strength has slow enough to make me think my decision to sell and not sail is the right one. But I am coming back somewhat. So maybe . . . . Who knows? But, ITMT, thanks (more than words can express) for the votes of confidence!
I've been remiss in keeping up with my reading, and I've only just seen this. I'm genuinely sorry to hear about your health issues, and that it has led to this decision, but having read your blog for a while I know it is a decision you'll have thought carefully about. I can't help but hope, though, that in time you'll be able to reverse it.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I (like others above) hope you continue the blog - I bet you've got loads of stories, thoughts and opinions, and you are always thought provoking and entertaining.
You were seen on the docks, carrying bags toward your boat. Are you coming back? Now that the races are going to count in the series?
ReplyDelete