You know? a good life is relative

[solo1]

There is an old saying: "I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet"

Two months ago, my neighbor was found by his son...........dead.  Bill was a cheerful guy in a powered wheelchair but he had no feet.........Diabetic. I'm not diabetic and I have my feet (and shoes). However, I did have misgivings last year.

I had a bad 2017. I just got a medical statement. Twelve doctors, NP's, Techs, etc were involved in my medical care. I had bladder surgery (ok now though) three cystoscopies, two endoscopies, three ER visits, hospital induced MRSA, and will probably owe a good bit of money from all of that. I also had two visits to the dentist as my teeth are brittle and subject to breakage. All of this is to be expected at my age.  Actually i was feeling kinda down.

And then I found out that A really nice women in our church has pancreatic cancer and is going through many, many, treatments, has lost weight, but still is up beat and supported by her husband.

I'm scheduled for another endoscopy next week to check something out but that's not why I posted.

Thinking of all of this makes any little things seem like nothing.  No matter how bad that we think we have it, there is someone out there worse off and mostly still upbeat

So I'm looking forward to Spring and a chance to drive the Miata in decent weather with the top down. I'm also grateful for my family who is planning a nice 90th birthday celebration.

Family, attitude, reasonable health, and satisfaction, are much more valuable than any possession or position that I might have.  Getting outside on a nice day and driving or riding is the icing on the cake.

[sandy]

You know if you can drive a Miata and still twist your right foot 90 degrees to the left one without pain, you're doing good.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Well spoken. Life is very often about perspective.

When you think you have it rough, you probably do. But, somewhere out there, someone would rather be in your shoes than theirs. Take a trip on Uncle Sam's dime, and you're likely to see it firsthand.

I've got some stuff going on, but one of my friends just passed due to complications from the flu - at 43 years old. My problems are still problems, but they shouldn't prove to be fatal. Life itself, though, is fatal. As Clint Eastwood once said, we've all got it comin'.

So, as they say, count your blessings.

[98valk]

you still look like a "Bad Ass" to me.

[rocketray]

 

[Robert]

Love the pic and the thought

There has been many times that I have read your adventures on riding and thinking about your age and life. We never know what is in store for us everyday and thought I hope I am fortunate enough to keep riding in my 80's. I love riding and my car very seldom gets any real use since the only time I really use it is in the rain.

I know we have ups and downs and there are times in our lives that can look like things really stink. But as life goes on and being through some very interesting times I have come to accept the idea to enjoy the days. I have been miserable in good times and happy in bad and visaversa so I decided to be happy in all times and count my blessings, enjoy the good things and look for the good even in the bad. Glad you found things to give thanks about, we dont understand how blessed we really are sometimes.

[da prez]

 Wayne , the saying was something we heard from out dad from early on. Our parents were depression  era. We always had food and potatoes and bread was a meal staple. Dad would tell us that saying when ever we wanted something that was unreasonable.

  I thought I was poor because I had no shoes , then I met a man with no feet.

    We have been in countries where people would love to have the worn out T-shirt we polish our bikes with.

                                             da prez and Bonnie
                                         

[winghot]

Good words Wayne. Much to live by

[John Schmidt]

Well my friend, good to see you're still standing tall. I know as the years pass, so do some of our capabilities. I used to chuckle at comments my dad made as he approached that 9th decade. At times he would fuss a bit because he forgot something, then would add that he has to remove(forget) some stuff just to make room for new stuff. In the summer of 1999 at age 92 he committed to memory a complete chapter from the book of Psalms. I kidded him, telling him "just think of all the old trivia you had to forget just to make room for this." My wife and I were on our way back from a N. Mexico vacation with some friends and our Wings and I felt the need to stop in Arkansas to see him. That was August, 1999, he turned 93 in November and passed Dec. 27.  I videotaped him reciting the chapter he had memorized at 92, it was the last time I saw him alive.

Wonder if I should get myself a Miata also, get a head start....so to speak! I'd try to stay off the cart paths though!    (you know you'll never live that down) 

[DDT (12)]

So true, Wayne! Thanks for reminding us to take what we have and be thankful for it. It seems that no matter how much one has, he/she always seems too want more... One of the more important lessons about 'happiness' we all must learn is in internalizing exactly the point you have so well made... Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!!!

DDT

[Karen]

I woke up today. A blessing for me and some. A curse for a few... Could not ask for more, thanks for reminding me, Wayne!

[gordonv]

I wake up every day to a good day!

6' above ground, is a good day. It can only get better from there. I'm now too old to worry about things I can't change. I'm old enough that I shouldn't worry about my kids, let them make the same mistakes I had on my own, and lived through. Besides, they didn't ask for help, only venting.

Keep it up, enjoy life to the fullest. You've paid for the things you now have.

[Bighead]

Wayne you sir have surpassed many a man in longevity......the fact that you still have your senses about you js remarkable.....I hope that when I reach 75 (if i do) I have the gumption you do at 90. You are an inspiration to many...keep on chuggin along....