I am so relieved to know that there are other people that feel as we do, but as Mum hopefully could have another 10 years  all going well we will then be 66 and 70, too late to do it then but do feel the guilts every now and then

Let's all be grateful for the days we have and the ability to take that first deep breath each morning as we put both feet on the floor, if we can. It's sad if your parents don't understand why you want to do the nomad thing. You can't forfeit your life because of them. Now that my stay-at-home relatives have seen my "home" and my "big truck", they enjoy my stories of my travels. They get excited. I used to be the family outcast and gypsy, but that impression of me has changed in recent years, and they're beginning to understand me. Pity they didn't try when I was younger and really needed their understanding. Never too late. Do the trip and write a letter regularly to the pining parent. My relatives love my travel letters. You don't have to be a good writer. It's hearing from you that they love. The news is co-incidental.

Ma - sorry to hear such sad news - I agree though - do it NOW!!  Some of you may know my husband passed away last November from a stroke.  We had just semi-retired and had done four months of an open ended trip "wherever the mood took us".  I am just so gratefull that for the last 10 years we had done some amazing trips - "round the block", Darwin, Alice, Ularu, Quilpie, Yowah, Tassie, too many to list.  My brother is older than me, and he and his wife are putting their trip off - waiting for her mother to die from motor neurone - or the effects - I am so worried that by the time they head off - he will be heading to 75 has already had two heart attacks - they might not get very far.  Knowing his MIL I believe she would hate the fact that they are putting their lives on hold for her - she wants to go now. 
I do intend to do some travelling next year, just need to get over this year first.

Stories like that are very sad to hear.
Much the same happened in my family & thats what got Hylda & myself motivated & now after after a year of travel we havn't looked back.

Jon & Hylda

 ma thanks for the kind thoughts,,, i have spoken with the bride at lenght on this and what we hope to do is to pick a place in this great country of ours and once a year go and see what there is to see,, this year it was as is aid the daintree area and far north queensland (cooktown) a place i had always wanted to see, next year, all being well it's tassie for a month,, this way we can come back home and i can recover form the trip and start to plan the next trip, by doing it this way we still get to see places and do things and the old knees and back can get a chance to recoup before the next trip,, guess it's a trade off fom being ann interstate truck driver and sitting on my fat arse behind the wheeel of a truck for days on end, but i'm not going to let it beat us,, we'll get to see this land of ours, it'll be just a bit at a time..
bb keep on truck'n !!!

BB, I know exactly what you mean about being a truck driver.  I was one in an earlier life, yes interstate and all.

At least you are still getting out there and seeing and doing things and that's what it's all about.   Good on you.

They turned Barbara's life support off at 10pm last night.  She now has peace.

Thankyou all for your words and wishes.

Reading more contributions to this thread since it started certainly gives the push we need to keep at it till we get on the road. My thoughts are up and down all the time while I wait for my finances to buy a campervan. I think it depends on the time of day even. The weather as well or even a conversation we might have had during the day. Then we come back on here and read on, certainly puts things back into perspective and more determined than ever to get out on that road and don't stop.

Ma - my thoughts are with you at this time. Stay strong - and keep on keeping on!!! Play some "travelling" music, at this time, and when you hear it in the future, you will think of your friend. jules

A lovely thought, thanks Jules

Really sad that is why we started on our adventure as hubby had a health scare and made us get out of our comfort zone, We should never take life for granted as it is so special and we must never put of till tomorrow as then it may be too late, Thinking of all family and friends :{

Thoughts are with you Elaine. Just had word my girlfriend isn't expected to live through this week. I feel so bad, as its not possible for me to be there. Sometimes.... it just sucks.!!! Thinking of you Dellie

Thinking of you too my friend.

It's the age bracket we live in I guess.

So sorry to hear this Ma. I have been working and not on line much to hear this latest news.

So sorry for you too Dellie, sometimes its just to hard isn't it.

How many beautiful people here to comfort you both though isn't there.

                 

It is wonderful how people rally when they need to.  This is the place for support that's for sure.

Wish I had found it quite a few years ago when I needed it.

Still, better late than never.

Thanks everyone

What a bummer, Ma.
So very sad, and yet so every-day. It keeps on happening. Over and over again. We need to keep in our concious thinking that, really, today is all we have. Live it.

Very true Rolly, but sometimes easier said than done.  At the moment we are home till February albiet a quick trip to Coffs Harbour some time in December.  Given a choice we would be back on the road right this minute.