After our “road trip” odyssey, we’re settled in here for the week in Fernandina Beach. My Dad had been to Florida only once before, back in 1985, to settle my late grandmother’s estate (after she had died in Hudson, near Tampa). Now here for our holiday, he is thoroughly enjoying himself – which was our goal after he nearly died of heart failure back in August.
![View down the beach on Amelia Island, yesterday morning, around 10 am. [Photo by me, 2015.]](https://rjnello.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/image47.jpg)
View down the beach on Amelia Island, yesterday morning, around 10 am. [Photo by me, 2015.]
![View out from Amelia Island, yesterday morning, about 10 am. [Photo by me, 2015.]](https://rjnello.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/image48.jpg)
View out from Amelia Island, yesterday morning, about 10 am. [Photo by me, 2015.]
We’d had a laugh due to her initial phrasing. She’d said she wanted to visit it with me, and then corrected herself. “Oh, I’m invited too?” my wife chuckled.
We had thought – typically complacently – that there would be time.
But she had never told us just how ill she truly was. (Maybe she didn’t even know herself at that point?) A terrible expression in life is “should’ve.” Had she expressed any degree of urgency, we’d have discarded everything else to have made sure we took that trip with her.
Holiday reading.
I suppose if I ever do visit India, she’ll be in my thoughts much of the time.
Don’t play down serious illness, or try to hide it, from those you love. Trust me, you aren’t sparing them. You may well cause them heartache forever.
That isn’t meant to be a downer post, really. It’s just a cautionary and necessary reminder; the sort of thing we all need to remember in life and are apt so easily to forget. Have a good day, wherever you are in the world. 🙂
Categories: General
beautiful
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I think there are some places in the world we just enjoy to visit in the mind, Robert. We might never go there, but, books like what you have on your table (I like ‘Soldier Sahibs’ by Charles Allen, John Murray Publishers) and shows like “The Jewel In The Crown” serve well as substitutes. The reality, as they say, is never quite the same.
Sad that your dear friend Kam never was able to go with you. But, your connection through her will always make India memorable for you.
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It’s so true, Naseer. You’re right. I may never get to India, but I would like to visit. Maybe someday.
I hate “regrets.” I’ll always have them over her if I ever do.
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Maybe Varanasi, Robert. Some say the Taj Mahal is a disappointment but each person sees it differently. If ever I went back it would be to take the Rajasthan Express to Jaipur and see the sublime palaces. A stay would be memorable I think.
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I’ve heard some say the Taj Mahal is a bit overrun too? Like Rome’s Spanish Steps? Somewhere everyone goes. Tick: been there, done that. 😉
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The Taj is indeed over run, and Kashmir swarming with soldiers and drug dealers. But Rajasthan is a bit off the beaten track.
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I read your other post connecting to this 🙂 (wink!) Yap, understand.
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