I enjoyed a beautiful drive this week. I had the road mostly to myself, except the election candidates who emerged from the bushes here and there, individually or in threes. The hazy sun gave that beautiful, drawing-like look to the fields and castle ruins, my favorite Lyric FM played Claude Debussy, and I had everything planned for the day, and even for the day ahead.
When I was getting ready for my appointment, I got a voice mail from a stranger. She informed me that a friend of mine had a stroke.
I inherited this friendship after my dear friend Ruby passed away from cancer. We exchanged text messages, and sometimes met for a meal. I visited them as often as I could, which wasn’t too often. Them, that is Bob and Trevor.
Trevor loves photography, and some of his images are simply amazing. He and his father used to travel a lot. Those days are gone.
I have been thinking of life lately, and it is not as if I didn’t already know it before, but I was hit with that thought again – life is too short.
What is the key to life?
Be curious like a child
Don’t be afraid to be alone
Embrace ageing
Don’t miss the beauty in every single moment.
The pink morning light did last just a few moments. A daredevil friend and I went to this photo shoot just before the storm hit the coast. Something to remember. Something to be happy about, even though life is so short it is frightening.
PS I wrote about Bob in this blog two years ago. Please, send him healing thoughts. Trevor needs him.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Making memories 
Inspiring, I am truly loving your blog. So happy to have found you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Miriam!
I meant every word. You have a lovely blog.
Thank you! 🙂
I agree with everything said here, not to mention the first rate photography you have presented!
Thank you Maria! Some things are obvious but still striking.
Such deep thoughts, eloquently said, accompanied by beautiful photos.
Thank you so much, Carol. Everyone knows that the life is short, but there are the moments when this thought hits you like a brick.
So true, Inese ❤
Thank you for sharing your precious photos. A warm wish for Bob. 🙂
Thank you so much, Amy!
Healing thoughts and prayers for Bob and for Trevor too.
Thank you so much, Bette! Have a lovely Sunday!
My best thoughts to Bob and Trevor. ❤ How wonderful for them to seek you out as a valuable friend!
Such a warm and positive soul you are, Inese. xo, Rose
Thank you ! xx
An incredible post Inese ~ life is frighteningly short, but just as powerfully beautiful as well. You cover some of these incredible key areas of life, with my favorite being keeping the mind of a child whenever possible. Life has so much to explore, to see and to love – and it seems that children have the ability to see this all in abundance. Wishing you well.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Randall. So much has been said about all of this, but personal experience always brings color to the common knowledge…
I am glad that keeping the mind of a child is your favorite. It might sound like I have never grown up, but I see it in a different light. Children learn incredible amounts of information and skills in a very short time, and if I don’t let my natural curiosity fade away, the world will never seem bleak and my life pointless.
Wishing you all the very best!
So true, a child’s mind is always seeking. Always discovering. Always open to new possibilities and the flexibility to truly learn. Well said 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Hope your friend gets better soon > Love the pink sunset and yes > we should all value those fleeting moments of wonder. And why does time go faster these days? Blaaaagh!
Oh Andy, it does go fast! Thank you for all the good wishes!
Very beautiful and they will be in my healing too Inese.
Thank you so much, Irene! Have a peaceful and pleasant end of the week!
Thank you Inese and a beautiful one for you 🙂
Thank you!
A very moving post Inese, so sad when illness strikes particularly when your friend Bob needs to be fit to care for Trevor. Life is indeed to short that is why we must embrace each and every moment, capturing its beauty, as you do so beautifully.
Thank you for your kind comment, Marje! Sometimes I physically feel that I am running out of time.
I feel that time seems to be speeding up the older I get and my ability to do things is slowing down… know just what you mean.
Yes, exactly. I just suddenly got that feeling a couple of years ago, and it never left since 😦
Ugh… wicked time…
Lovely blog and sentiment Inese! So sorry to hear about your friend’s illness and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Thank you so much, Syd! I too hope Bob is back to being his normal self soon. The whole situation is so complicated.
Have a wonderful week!
I was sorry to hear about your friend’s stroke. My thoughts are with Bob and Trevor.
I agree with you about life being too short. I was particularly struck by your point about enjoying the beauty of every moment. Life is a gift, and I shouldn’t let myself get too caught up in everyday trivialities to forget it.
Thank you so much! We all know about the beauty of the world, and about enjoying every moment – all that trivial stuff. I know it all in theory, as everyone else, but do I practice enjoying every moment? Not at all, until I get a reminder – like that beautiful sunrise when I am lucky, or an illness, when I am not.
That’s how I am too.
Beautiful post Inese.
Send my best wishes to Bob, I hope he gets better soon …
Thank you Belén! Doctors say it will take a few months.
The important thing is that Bob is able to recover his health, as you well say, Trevor needed Him.
I am sure he will get better 🙂
Sorry to hear. Yes, life is too short. Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration. I’m going to check Bob’s post.
Thank you so much, Olga! I am quite shaken with all of that. xx
Beautiful thoughts and images Inese, sending my warm wishes to Bob and Trevor.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Andrea!
Beautiful, simple lessons for a short life, Inese. I send many warm wishes and loving light to Bob.
Thank you so much, Diane, and I truly appreciate this thoughtful comment and your precious vacation time! I am so happy for you, and look forward to reading the holiday story 🙂 xx
So sorry to hear about your friend. The photos on this page and the one you referee are so beautiful. Sending loving thoughts for Bob and Trevor!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Jan! xxxx
“Be curious like a child.” Beautiful. 🙂
Thank you! Curious mind is a great asset. Not to be confused with reckless mind though 🙂
Thank you for this post Inese. A really difficult one to write, I’m sure, but as always beautifully done and very thought provoking. Very best wishes to both your friends, and I hope that the sun will shine for them both again soon,
Best wishes
Julian
Thank you for your kind comment! Everything will work out, eventually.
Inese
Poignant & pretty. Thank you, Inese!
Thank you for stopping by, Resa!