Old people,fishing and patience.

[macojoe]

Ya did good!!
My dad is crippled from the neck down from a swimming pool accident some 25 years ago. After about 10 surgeries he can walk with two canes He Loves to fish and eat just as your in laws!! Comes from VT. every year and wants to go on the boat, And that is a job for me just as you say! But I have always had a much smaller boat then you. Last year when I still had my boat dad now 75 wanted to go out so off we went to the vineyard to fluke,and like you it was flat on the way out but the way back was another story!He was sitting in a chair about mid ship, when my buddy taped me on the back and pointed, I look back and the chair was all the way to the rear of the boat and Dad with his feet pointed to the sky!
He was fine and laughing while I was scared to death!! All I have heard this year is how he wished I never sold the boat, he wants to go fishing! I said it was hard for me when I was healthy, But to do now forget it! I have only been out twice this year on my friends whaler ad it was great, but never could I deal with him now!! We won't even get into what happens when he has to use the head! So I feel your pain!!! Your a good man! I am sure deep down you will remember them days years from now and smile as will I after my dad is gone!!

[FishermanTim]

I don't know about the rest of you, but my dad took me fishing as a kid, and helped instill a love for the sport, so in his waning years I took him fishing and had as fun as before.

Here's my fishing story:
I used to live in Arlington, and was just a freshwater guy then.
I would ride my moutain bike to various ponds and rivers in the area. (FYI. the area was anyplace from Chelmsford to Weston and to Boston)
I would ride out to Stony Brook in Weston for trout fishing.

When I had access to a car I would take dad fishing and I took him to this spot, driving the same route I road my bike. We caught a few brookies, rainbows and browns (all stocked) and returned home.

My parents moved from Jamaica Plain to Hyde Park and had a house warming party. I walked by the kitchen window and overheard my dad talking to a few of the elder uncles and heard him say "My son Tim took me fishing the other day, and MAN, he goes WAY OUT THERE!"

I knew I had done well when I could impress my dad without ever trying.

We spent quite a few other outings camping and fishing in Nickerson State Park, but those a re stories for another day.....

[Jimbo]

Old people and patience, as well as elder care, wills, estate planning and dealing with a budding real estate nightmare concerning some property I am seriously considering trying to retire to in West Dennis, these things consume my entire being lately. My father was diagnosed with Myeloma and has begun treatments, but he's supposed to adjust his lifestyle. He lives alone in Yarmouth with a crazy dog, very old fashioned, very set in his ways and views and opinions on things, a tad stubborn, too. Used to be an avid player in the Cape senior softball league and he didn't mind giving that up, but insists on going up on ladders and using his chainsaw even after his Dr. told him no more physical stuff. That's where patience comes in bigtime. I mostly just listen because it's not worth upsetting him by arguing with him (and he is a great story teller, too). We've always been very close and he's been there for me more than once, but to my surprise a few weeks back he dragged me to a lawyer to draw up a will and he put me in charge of doing everything upon his demise. Honored, yes, scared out of my wits and overwhelmed, definitely. I haven't even told my own brothers because I just don't know how they're going to react. Time to man up I guess and do whatever it takes. It's tough when you're 300 miles away and can't just drop everything and drive up, it may come to a leave of absence, even early retirement if it comes to that. Yea, it's someone whow was in a situation like this who invented the phrase, "It's a bitch growing". old.

[beamie]

Good for you Sandman.......Nothing Capt Morgan can't fix when you get in.