Living your dream.....

[rebelsbeach]

I've had the opportunity to meet a good many of the members from this site in my travels over the past few years and in doing so have forged some tremendous friendships and shared some wonderful experiences. I thank each and every one of you for those experiences and for letting me into your circle of friends.

As most of you know, my brother and I have had the good fortune to be able to retire at a relatively young age and are able now to do some of the things in our lives we'd only dreamed of doing. As I lived my life knowing how fortunate I was, I'd never given any thought to it ever ending....

Just yesterday I learned of the passing of a neighbor, who was a fellow RV owner and also someone who had retired and was living he and his wife's dream of traveling around not only the U.S., but all around the world.
They recently conquered the feat of visiting all 50 States in their Prevost conversion and were ecstatic about having done so.
Regrettably, at sixty-seven years old JR's life experiences were cut short as he succumbed to cancer.

You ask what makes me write this?

As I sit here with a heavy heart I realize how fortunate I am and I realize there may be others out there that are on the verge of making the decision to full time, but for some reason they just can't make the decision.
Whatever that reason may be that is keeping you from "living your dream" as JR chose to do and as such I am now doing, I can tell you something my own late Father told us boys.....We're not getting any younger and we're here for a short time and gone for a long time".
There are those friends of mine that laugh when they learn of my retiring so young as they say Dad is giggling from above with the thought that I "really took Dad literally" when he said not to work until I'm 84 like he did, but it's all good!

Whatever your age, whatever your situation.......Have the courage to live your dream.

God bless each and every one of you and thank you for supporting this great site.

Bob

[rebelsbeach]

I've had the opportunity to meet a good many of the members from this site in my travels over the past few years and in doing so have forged some tremendous friendships and shared some wonderful experiences. I thank each and every one of you for those experiences and for letting me into your circle of friends.

As most of you know, my brother and I have had the good fortune to be able to retire at a relatively young age and are able now to do some of the things in our lives we'd only dreamed of doing. As I lived my life knowing how fortunate I was, I'd never given any thought to it ever ending....

Just yesterday I learned of the passing of a neighbor, who was a fellow RV owner and also someone who had retired and was living he and his wife's dream of traveling around not only the U.S., but all around the world.
They recently conquered the feat of visiting all 50 States in their Prevost conversion and were ecstatic about having done so.
Regrettably, at sixty-seven years old JR's life experiences were cut short as he succumbed to cancer.

You ask what makes me write this?

As I sit here with a heavy heart I realize how fortunate I am and I realize there may be others out there that are on the verge of making the decision to full time, but for some reason they just can't make the decision.
Whatever that reason may be that is keeping you from "living your dream" as JR chose to do and as such I am now doing, I can tell you something my own late Father told us boys.....We're not getting any younger and we're here for a short time and gone for a long time".
There are those friends of mine that laugh when they learn of my retiring so young as they say Dad is giggling from above with the thought that I "really took Dad literally" when he said not to work until I'm 84 like he did, but it's all good!

Whatever your age, whatever your situation.......Have the courage to live your dream.

God bless each and every one of you and thank you for supporting this great site.

Bob

[Brigadoon]

Bob, thanks for sharing your thoughts and sorrow. I understand completely. During the last 3 years 5 people I know or work with have passed. They ranged in age from 45 to 65. Four from cancer, one from a heart attack. One of those people worked with me for 7 years- its terrible watching a friend die (cancer).

That's the bad part.

Now for the good. Even though I could make a considerable pile of money over the next 5 years, I've decided to retire at age 54. This will occur April 1, 2008. We do not consider ourselves to be wealthy, but by most standards we are well off, so the decision to leave money on the table was not real difficult (well maybe it's a bit difficult).

We will start by spending about 6 months per year traveling in our MH. That will tell us if we want to full time or not. Either way we will be enjoying life and this great nation.

One other thing- visit your doctor regularly and follow his advice to stay ahead of future issues.

[Mutha]

10-4, Bob on being "TRUELY BLESSED"! Sometimes it takes a whack between the eyes with that proverbial 2x4 to get us to slow down for a moment and realize that we are at GOD's mercy and He has "TRUELY BLESSED" us.

So Mote It Be - Glenn.

[jjoe]

Hi Bob, I am so sorry to hear of your friend's passing.
My DW and I are also retired. I'm 70 and she is 71 But don't tell anybody that I told her age.
We have been married for 53 years, and have wonderful kids grand kids and great grand kids.
There's not a day that goes by that I don't count my blessings.
Best wishes,
Joe

[bsavage]

Yes, we are also sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, but your point is well taken and a good reminder.... live every moment, and be thankful!

[rebelsbeach]

Thank all of you for your thoughts...

["007"]

In rereading your post Bob I can understand your sorrow in missing a good friend. They are hard to replace and you wish it didn't have to end for JR as it did. He made the most of his dream though as best he could.
I was thinking of what my father said also since he past at seventy in 1980 not to see the life he wished for me and all that he missed beyond his passing.
Living your dream how ever you can.

[rebelsbeach]

Roger, my brother and I were fortunate to have had our Dad to mentor us in the business.
He was able in his lifetime to see his boys take the reins and continue the success of the business he founded in 1960.

This has been good to think of, given that my friend JR's sons are active in his business as well...Funny as it seems, but talking about this and realizing JR's legacy will live on has given me peace.

[MonacoMama]

Please send best wishes onto his family from your IRV2 family, Bob...It is very had to lose a friend or family member under any circumstances...my thoughts and prayers are with you and his ...

[GoneFishin]

I'm very sorry to hear the sad news. Remember the good times you had with your friend and the adventures he experienced. We don't know how long we have on this earth so live for today.

My husband and I are planning our 2nd retirement in February. Twenty two years ago we had a busy life and a thriving business (24x7). He was 38 and I was 28. Then we had 3 friends/family members pass away who were less than 40. We decided to travel fulltime and fish, and we did for 8 years. We know that was one of the best decisions we ever made.

We have been working very hard for the past 15 years or so, now in our early 50s and 60s, we are once again ready to travel and enjoy life. If fulltime RVing is not your style, do whatever makes you happy.

Thank you for sharing your personal feelings and encouraging others to live their dream.

[Ed-Deb]

Bob,

My condolences to you and your friend's family.

Your words of wisdom should be contemplated by everyone (and hopefully acted upon) as we truly are here for a short time.

Take care,

Ed

[rebelsbeach]

Thanks again folks....

My friend was laid to rest today and fitting as it was, I was traveling toward another rally on the Interstate.
I know JR wouldn't have expected anything less!