Quote Originally Posted by sharps View Post
This isn't to sound flip. I have so many hobbies and interests the thought of what to do if interest in one wanes has never crossed my mind. Church and doing a lot of music and teaching there consumes a lot of time. Gardening, sailing, hunting, shooting for fun, pleasure and competition, reloading and casting bullets, restoring bamboo fly rods, tying flys. I sitll enjoy downhill and XC skiing but at almost 60 those 10 mile ski trips are a thing of the past, dinking around with my vintage sports cars and reading and studying about all the above.
The type and severity of the disease and illness I am in would eliminate literally everything you just mentioned except tying flies. Church and my faith are the two things I can do that I will hang on to. On the other side of that coin I do not know the suffering of Christ nor do I pretend to. However, Christ has used these sufferings of mine to teach me how to really, truly appreciate a good day.
If you can get up and look out the door, it's a start on a good day.
If you can dress yourself, feed yourself, it's a good day.
If you can walk 50 feet to your car without dragging your feet, stand erect, get into the car, without tears of pain, retching your guts out, it's looking like it might be a great day.
If you can drive to work, sit at the computer, type info in for the proper shipping of freight to the troops, put the freight labels on the freight, send it to the proper shipping area, drive home, help take care of your son who is still recovering from cancer treatment and now the loss of his thyroid by golly it turned out to be great day.
Of course you are going to take multiple doses of very strong pain medications throughout the day. You are barley able to eat a sandwich, drink some iced tea, take more med before you collapse on the couch.
forget about restful sleep because it ain't going to happen. Between the pain, the pain meds and the PTSD it just will not happen until the day I am dead.

I am not complaining because I am still alive. There are others that are in wore shape than I that need our prayers and thoughts. Just wanted to relate to everyone why I have lost interest in fly fishing amongst other things.

Quote Originally Posted by Bobinmich View Post
Nighthawk,

I am in the same spot as you. Loss of interest, medical problems, etc. Don't tie any more cause it hurts too much - gave all my tying gear and supplies to one of my last living fishing buddies who still ties. Gave him two nice double guns too. My son-in-laws don't hunt or fish. I have a grandson who is 6 and just about ready to start so that will occupy some of my time. Started with a serious car accident 10 years ago then all my fishing buddies either died or quit fishing. I am not even 70 and I am too young to be in this spot but I am, none-the-less.

But I can still read. And I can still write. And when it hurts when I wake up in the morning, I know I am still on the green side.

One of the reason God gave us memories is that, someday, those are what we will cherrish. You can still close your eyes and go fishing wherever you want. And you can still tell stories around a campfire or the fireplace to who ever will listen. All is not lost and we here would certainly like to hear your stories. So don't loose touch. We can still live vicarously through our friends who fish. And good luck with your medical and financial problems. They will work themselves out. May God bless and keep you. And when you want to talk, you know we are your friends.

Bob
Bob,
You and I have a lot in common. You said things so well there. I am praying for you too brother.