Real Life Intervenes

There are elements I strive for in each of my posts to entertain my 10 readers. Gentle self deprecating humor. Common sense in the face of social science stupidity. Outrage at lunacy and waste of taxpayer money. And always, always, reminding people of how much I love Stoker.

There is none of that in this post. Three of my cycling friends have been diagnosed with cancer in the last few months. They are all in various stages of diagnosis, surgeries and post surgical treatment regimes.

The prognoses of the three are unknown and uncertain. They could be cured or go into remission. They might lead long and healthy lives. Or they may not. All we can do is hope and pray and offer support.

Another cycling friend is having heart difficulties with some complications. He has had procedures and medications to try to bring the problem under control, but for now his cycling is on hold even with an e bike. It might not be as serious as cancer but it still sounds serious and troubling.

Yet another cycling friend listed his extraordinarily beautiful and nearly brand new custom build road bike for sale on Facebook due to ‘recent health challenges’. I have no idea what those are, but if he is selling this truly beautiful bicycle, ridden less than 200 miles, they much be significant.

My dad’s first cousin Dino Cortopassi passed away recently. The Celebration of Life was Saturday. It was very nice. My parents were very close to Dino and his wife Joan and their family, and it is hard to think of him not being here anymore.

Another cousin has cancer and is in and out of hospital.

We are all getting older and as we do health problems become more frequent and magnified. We spend more time going to doctors’ appointments and in hospital waiting areas. And, sadly, at funerals.

There isn’t anything we can do about this except try to enjoy the moments we have and do good and kind things whenever we can. Because eventually we can’t.