We plan to spend time in Lakeland to experience MLB’s spring training. Brendan and Amy just built their “forever home” in Alabama, and we are so excited to see it. Camping in a Class 3 motor coach has been a longtime goal. Although we don’t own one yet, we look forward to the day when we can go cross county with it. Taking our grandkids to Cedar Point is a must. Hawaii is on the list and so is another visit to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

But back to my boat story. A few years back, we found our evening rides so enjoyable that we left our boat in until early November. You don’t have to say it. I already know what you’re thinking. Well, the weather turned cold practically overnight. The first snowfall was reported to be arriving fast and furious with an expected six inches. You know how those first snowfalls go in Michigan. Dave and I figured it was time to let summer go and give in to winter’s ways. Looking at that day’s forecast, we quickly dressed in our warmer winter garb. Of course, the only hat for me to grab was my favorite hat. Up until that day, I was boycotting anything to do with winter.

Dave jumped in his truck and headed to the boat ramp with the boat trailer rambling behind. My job was to get the boat quickly and quietly to the boat ramp to meet him. You see, we really didn’t want people to hear the boat on the water because all it would do was raise eyebrows and make us look a little crazy. Ever drive your convertible in a white-out snow storm? It’s about the same on a boat.

As I arrived at the boat ramp, I could see that Dave was struggling to back down the hill. Dave backing up on the icy ramp made the truck and trailer look like a toboggan going down a slippery slope. Utterly out of control. The snow was coming down like confetti and the wind was howling, making it difficult for me to take the boat in at an appropriate angle. And, pretty soon I was going to need a snow shovel to clear the deck of the boat. The neighbors across the street stepped out on their deck to watch this fiasco, making sure that we could hear them laughing. As if they have never seen anything like this before?

After several attempts and somewhat frustrated, we decided it might be easier to use the boat ramp on the other side of the lake. The somewhat level gravel road would probably make it easier for our wintery exit. So, Dave headed up the ramp sliding and fishtailing on a race to beat the weather. I was collecting inches of snow on my hat and jacket, and no longer quietly, but eagerly, I raced to the other boat ramp. I was really hoping no one was around to shake their heads in disbelief.

In a tie, we both reached the boat ramp on the west side of Hiland Lake. I could see that Dave was just backing up the trailer. This appeared to be a little bit easier, and after several attempts, the boat was finally resting on the trailer. We secured the boat, and off we went, crunching over 4 inches of snow. How did it come down so fast and so hard without warning? Well, that’s not exactly accurate, because we were warned that the weather was going to get nasty very quickly. The good news is there are not many year-round residents living on our lake to see what rockheads we were. I mean who pulls a boat out in November?

The point of all this you ask? Have you ever found that some things sneak up on you and catch you by surprise? Like summer taxes? Or a summer thunderstorm? Or maybe you have so many things you want to do, and before you know it, the time is gone? The value in our “boat lesson” seemed to slip by us until now. When faced with the reality of a life-threatening disease, we don’t have time to waste.

Day 1 of the road to recovery mirrored Dave’s first bone marrow transplant that he had last October. It was rough and exhausting. But we are counting up. Counting up to the days when Dave is released from the hospital and able to continue recovering at home. When given the sign that Dave is healthy enough to travel, I’m going to grab my favorite hat and run for the door.

There’s no better time than now to do the things that you wish to do.