LIVE life... it's so short

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

If you remember, Gerald "Reeltime" and I toured (Trip West) in Fall of 2006. He had lost his Florence to cancer one year earlier.

Gerald and Marilyn struck up an acquaintance and wed in 2007. The two have been building a house... pretty well have it finished.

Recently, she's had a bout in the Cancer Center in Illinois. This is a short email note from Gerald:

This is very very hard for me to write. Marilyn went home to the Lord today Sat. July 25 at 4:33pm after a week long struggle with that terrible leukemia. I had to tell her it was alright to go to Jesus... he was holding his arms out to her and that I would be OK. We talked a lot this past week . Marilyn is an absolute one of a kind gal, I'm sure glad Fern France kept setting us together at our grief group at our Church, thanks Fern . More later... gotta go to bed heading home in the morning . Love all you guys. Thanks for your prayer support.

" Reeltimegc " God Bless

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

My condolences to Reeltime ....

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

I guess I was relating to a point... Just because everything is UP shouldn't give us the excuse to relax.

Love as though there isn't going to be a tomorrow. Also, if you wish to enjoy something... get to it.
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I'll relay condolences to Gerald.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I guess I was relating to a point... Just because everything is UP shouldn't give us the excuse to relax.

Love as though there isn't going to be a tomorrow. Also, if you wish to enjoy something... get to it.
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I'll relay condolences to Gerald.

Agree - people ask me why I travel so much - and my answer is, there is no better day then today.

I am a few years younger then you Bob - since January, 8 of my friends have lost a parent and my mother died in March - she and my dad were married 55 years. I invited dad to come to Aruba for 2 weeks early next year - his reply was if he is alive, he's going . I told him I would take the insurance and booked his units and tickets.

Gerald was lucky to have two wonderful women in his life .....

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Sorry to hear your mother has passed.

When I asked Gerald how long he could take for Trip West he replied, "the rest of my life".

He sooo wished his Florence could be along to experience it all with him.

When the house was done, he and Marilyn planned to get out west.

Good for you to take Dad along. So much to do and see together.

Caroll and I were to head along the Blue Ridge and on up through WV and PA to Michigan at months end. We're going to attend family reunion and planned to visit Marilyn and Gerald. So soon... she is gone and his life shattered... AGAIN.

Such a tender man. Thank God he has many loved ones around him.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Robert, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your good friends wife. I know how much his friendship meant to you & Carol and know how bad it hurts. It's why I travel-- life is too short. Hugs to you, shaggy

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

It is so sad that Reeltime has lost 2 loves, but then again it is a blessing that he found 2 women to love. I am sure their lives were enriched by him also.
You are right, Robert, live each day to the fullest.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

I too send my condolences to your friend, Gerald.

Life throws us these curves, and we are meant to figure it out....from the unexpected joys of meeting someone who becomes someone so important, to the loss of that very person....each has its place in our own journey. The sweet and the bittersweet. Without friends, loves, memories...we would be lost...thankfully, we have the opportunities for all. The loss hurts, but our hearts are enriched.

[deede Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close deede]

Hi Beebe,

Your statement, "Live life... it's so short"

reminded me of a statement my youngest daughter loves to "throw" at me: "Every person dies, but not every person really lives!!! Enjoy life, live it while you can."

My prayers to Reeltime (and to you). God will see him through this.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I wish my Mom's church had a group like his. It's a great thing not to have to walk thru the end of life alone.

At least he knows he'll see her again. Gives him something to look forward to when his day comes.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Thanks

Caroll and I have been in Michigan all the month of August. Too humid at Yorktown.

Gerald came over, at Caroll's family reunion. We got to share words for over 2 hrs on the 19th.

Gerald is taking his loss better than I imagined. Poor guy!
He has the house to finish now and get it on the market. State will want hospital bills paid. All that work for nothing, so it would seem.

I expressed your thoughts to him.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

so sorry ot hear of your friends loss, Gerald. I will include him in my prayers. Oh life is so short...........

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I guess I was relating to a point... Just because everything is UP shouldn't give us the excuse to relax.

Love as though there isn't going to be a tomorrow. Also, if you wish to enjoy something... get to it.
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I'll relay condolences to Gerald.

Robert my true thoughts for Reeltime. To lose not one but two great loves has to be devastating. and yet...he had 2 great loves. His life is richer for his time with both.

I just found out my next door neighbor of 14 years brother passed on this weekend. He was 37.

Grab life and live each day as if it were your last.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I've been living this way for the last 11 years. Both my mother and father died at relatively young ages (52 and 60), so I'm not waiting for things to "settle down" to start living. We own 7 timeshares and we take ALL the vacation time we're given at work. Sometimes I spend more money than I probably should but, it's ONLY money and I'm not spending more than I earn or can pay.

Life can be to short. We don't take anything for granted. Life can be changed forever in the blink of an eye. My aunt and uncle recently learned this important lesson just a few weeks ago. Depsite the fact he considered himself one of the most defensive motorcycle drivers on the face of the planet, he couldn't stop some idiot from pulling out in front of them at the last second and they struck the car, injuring both of them pertty good. One second your in the best of health cruising along one of life's highways, the next your a crumpled mass listening as the sirens approach to take you to the hospital.

In my dad's case, one moment you're at the top of your game and one of the leading districts in the company. The next day you have a terminal diagnosis of cancer and you know the end is within site.

Live NOW. Don't wait for tomorrow. Nothing is promised in this life and nothing lasts forever. Take your opportunities when they present themselves and live life to the fullest degree possible.