An online friend just died yesterday. He had spent some of his later work life doing something he thought fulfilling, saving for a future where he could do what he actually wanted to be doing: sailing. Now, I think I'd heard a similar story before, but worth repeating, and it's not the same story.
He started having health issues, and took it as a hint to get going early with his dreams of sailing. Not in as grand a boat as he'd expected, not with as awesome a house/home base as he dreamt, but he retired early, bought a sensible boat, and sailed/motored from I think VA down to FL. Where he set up a modest home. Unfortunately a heart condition meant he couldn't do more than day-trips, but at least he was living the life he wanted.
Continuing heart issues -- minor heart attacks, more or less chronic heart condition -- led to bigger ones. Had to give up all cycling, another passion of his, even to the point where he could not manage a tadpole recumbent tricycle. Eventually, he reluctantly sold his boat.
But he was still as involved as he could be. He represented his neighbors in court or other official meetings, helped them with paperwork, a big help in a neighborhood with lots of ESLs. They repaid the favor, not with money, which they didn't have, but at his urging, hosted cookouts at his place, mowed his lawn, kept his yard neat and tidy, did his heavy lifting.
Unfortunately, all the heart issues led to strokes. Smaller ones, larger ones. Still he fought on. Until yesterday...
Never had a chance to tell him, but his decision to light out for his dream and retire early to pursue it is one of the many reasons and inspirations for my own pursuit of the vandwelling lifestyle.
I'm glad I didn't wait, glad I jumped in, and thank him for both his initial inspiration, and as hard as it was hearing of his downward spiraling health, heeding his warning-by-example: Do what you want to before it's too late.
He was a self-proclaimed atheist, with a methodical and scientific mind. But a few weeks ago, was revived from a series of flatline events having experienced an NDE, white light, beautiful music, and all. Totally tripped him out, to say the least. Between that, a life well lived, and having touched many lives in a positive way, I can only hope that he died in a state of grace, experiencing one last Grand Adventure on the way out of this plane of existence. RIP, Tom Stormcrowe.
