Life Is Good, Reminded Again Yesterday,

[seapower]

I was working on a customer's boat early yesterday morning. Nothing really unusual, she just has been late returning phone call's lately. She comes down to the boat, just to say Hi and see how thing's are going. Well after just a few minutes she's in tear's, she tells me that her daughter (who I just met for the first time about an hour earlier) has been having a real rough time. She's got Hogdkin's Lympoma. She already been having seizure's, just starting treatments at Duke, here in NC. Man she is in her 30's at the best, got 3 little kid's running around. Looking around when I drive to the boat, I can't help but think. These folk's have got it made, nice big new house. Nice big dock, nice boat. You know the "work's". Of course that's from the "outside" looking in.
I'm gonna give you guy's that may be reading this some "wisdom" that this boat mechanic has learned over the year's. I have worked and continue to work on some of the weathiest people's boat's. Some are CEO's of some very big companie's (I don't drop names, they call me and trust me). What I can without an absolute doubt, is tell you I wouldn't trade my life with many of them. Yes they may have wealth, can afford the stuff I could only dream of. They've got their troubles too. One of my best customer's, who has over the year's, lost his wife to a 3 year battle with cancer. Money can't take the hurt away that he still feel's.
Yes I hurt in the morning and it's hard to get up and go sometimes. But I still can. Got my own small, but honest business. I've got 3 adult kid's that for the most part are heathy and making it on their own (not easy, but their making it). And I've got my wife, who's stuck with me faithfully (I aswell to her) for 30 year's. I've said it before, if the Lord call's me home tommorrow, "it's been a great ride". Thank You for Blessing me like you have, I certainly don't deserve it. Frank

[La Gringa]

You deserve it. You are a good person.

[Dads Dream]

I raise a toast to that Seapower.....!!

You captured so much of "what matters" in life.....

A few years ago on a long ride to a remote ski area in Maine......I had a lot of windshield time with a customer/acquaintance of mine .....and our conclusion (after a discussion about the similar facts that you addressed) was something like this:

During your life you will come across people with that appear to have it 'all' (whatever you define as "all").....but the only thing that matters is "Living life richly with what you have"

Maybe those things are your house, or toys.....maybe its your career, your family, your kids....your BOAT.....your tuna rods......

Similar to you, Frank, I'm thankful for a wife that's put up with me for almost 18 yrs, 2 great sons that are addicted to salt and a simple lifestyle that allows us to be on the water within only a few minutes.

[gottaflylee]

Frank I could not agree with you more. I will never be rich with money, only in lifes little gifts that we are granted. My mother lives with me (shhh she is 84) and I thank the man above every day that I get to share with her... just 1 of the many small gifts...

[JD5652]

Nice post Frank! Fortunately I figured out a few years ago that success and happiness is not measured in dollars. Stopped working 16 hours a day and been smelling the roses each and every day since.

[clt_capt]

Well said Frank. Nice reminder that the grass isn't always greener and to be thankful for what we have.

[sportfishingusa]

What a great story frank. And it is the truth.. Money can not buy happiness and longevity..

I lost my mother 4 years ago and she was 51 yrs old! She was not only my best friend but also the woman who provided me with life and everything i could ever dream of. I had the works.. " the life" some might say.. but all that doesnt matter.. It was her illness that took her life and she put a freaking smile on that face every single day until the day she left us..

I sit in my office and thank god i have what i have today and live for today and not the future! Life if is a SHORT RIDE.. and if we dont stop to smell the roses once in a while it will fly by before we know it.. Take nothing for granted and just live day in and day out like it is the last because you just never know what you may have in store for you..

I know that i refuse to hold grudges and have taken up the I DONT GIVE A DAMN attitude since my mother past as such a young age. I have a beautiful wife and a beautiful daughter and i make sure that no matter what i have to do with my life.. that they live their lives the best way possible! every dollar i make i spent to make sure they love life and enjoy it thoroughly!!! Thanks for the morning tear frank!! lol GREAT POST MY MAN!