Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

My husband has had a motorcycle parked in the garage for over twenty years. It has not been ridden and now, of course, the battery is dead. Our younger son tried to help him by suggesting that a friend would buy it, but that was years ago and he wasn't ready. Now, by chance, a AAA guy starting the battery on one of our cars asked about it, and suddenly, my husband is willing to give it to this guy. Never give up hope! I have no idea what is causing my husband to finally let go. I've not pushed him. He is saying goodbye to all his biking adventures, his memories and the fact that at his age now, he will not ride again. That's a hard process, and I respect it. As my Zen teacher used to quote Suzuki Roshi: "It takes as long as it takes". I have dreams I have had to give up, like seeing Machu Pichu and the Galapagas Islands. I have macular degeneration and cannot risk going to altitudes over 7,000 feet. We both gave up skiing and then cross country skiing. We constantly say goodbye to people and activities we used to love. Yet the compensations are great: grandchildren and great friends and new pursuits. Life has it's balances.