T&T: A bump in the road

[Steve Sipe]

Randy Pickelmann wrote:
> Well, it finally happened.
>
> When Cindy & I left to go cruising two years ago we knew that since I had two
> elderly parents, it was likely that we would one day be called back home.  We
> didn't want to live our lives with regret so we ran away from home.  My dad
> passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day.  After four months, it has become
> obvious that Mom needs our help on a daily basis.  So after wintering Morning
> Star in the Keys and not using her, we are going down this weekend and
> bringing her back home to Clearwater.
>
> While this certainly puts our cruising plans on indefinite hold, we have every
> intention of picking up again some day.  In the meantime Morning Star will be
> used on the weekends and on occasional vacation cruises.
>
> I guess the real message in all this is that if you plan to go cruising, leave
> now.  Go today, not tomorrow.  
<<snip>>
Randy,

Sorry to learn of your predicament. Barb & I are in the process of 
divesting ourselves of house, business, real estate & vehicles to pursue 
our cruising dream. Her parents are in relatively good health, my Dad, 
at 86 is remarkably fit and active, although all that could change in an 
instant. I watched my Mom suffer the ravages of an 8 year decline from 
Parkinson's and was there with her to the bitter end last Feb. My Dad is 
supportive of our big breakaway, he has regrets the he & Mom didn't do 
more with the resources they had, but that is the road they chose. Yes, 
the stock market is terrible, I planned to sell my customer base, that's 
not panning out, a fire at the shop threatened to derail the whole 
train, but we've resolved to press on. As the old saw goes, no one on 
their death bed wishes they'd spent more time at work.

So let the chips fall where they may, we're CRUISING!!!

All the best.

Steve Sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
Upper Chesapeake