Re: intoduction + seize the moment

February 20, 2000

<< Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they

haven't thought about it, do not have it on their schedule, didn't know it

was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine. >>

Hi Joyce,

Welcome to CMTUS. It must have been a surprise to you to get your diagnosis

of CMT a few months ago. How is your CMT son doing? CMT affects each of us so

differently, it's frustrating to try to understand. Mostly, I think we learn

how to adapt to the changes in our bodies. Do either of you have pain?

======

Forty years ago, my sweetie and I seized the moment, got married, and had an

11 week honeymoon driving in Western Europe and the United Kingdom. It was an

unforgettable experience. Parts of the area were still recovering from WWII,

and they loved the American dollar. We made the whole trip spending only $5 a

day each, and sometimes $5 for both of us. Of course we only earned $320 a

MONTH back then, before taxes, so we had little money to spend. For lunches

we would buy a loaf of bread, a few slices of cheese and lunch meat, and a

bottle of local wine, and eat by the side of a road rather than at a cafe.

That cost 15 cents apiece.

I remember walking in the cathedrals in all the countries, over the foot

bridges of Venice, seeing the art in the Louvre, climbing the Eiffel Tower

and so forth as if it were a few years ago, not 40 years.

If we had waited till we had saved money so we could travel in a bit more

style, we would not have been able travel for at least another 20 years. (We

raised 2 sons.) We also would not have had as exciting a trip. Mixing with

the locals, traveling very simply, staying in plain rooms, and eating in

local cafes or along the road made the trip very special and memorable.

We seized the moment and have enjoyed the memories ever since.

We are still happily married.

Kat in Seattle

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