...and away

Had an excellent day with the kids today. I'm tired, i'm sunburnt but thoroughly satisfied.

One of the highlights of the day was a trip to see the new animated offering from Disney/Pixar called Up.

Now despited what several reviews and people who've seen it say, i really liked it, as did the kids.

I thought the message of the movies was great. It basically told the story of two men who at the twilight of their lives were both driven by one goal and despite having this in common they couldn't be more different. Anyway don't want to ruin it.

So here's what i learned from Up...

• We're only given one shot at this thing called life so pursue what matters to you.

• Don't become so fixated on one goal, plan or direction that it consumes you and you miss out on all of the "unscheduled" adventures along the way.

• Write your plans in pencil

During the on-boarding (brainwashing) my first day with JCP, almost 4 years ago, i met a guy by the name of Larry. I knew Larry was destined for design as he was in his 50's, wore long, curly hair in a "bun" on the back of his head and was sporting a seersucker blazer. As things turned out Larry was actually to be my boss.

About a year later, while beginning to have health problems of my own, Larry started to get sick too. After various tests he announced to the team that he had cancer, terminal cancer. In fact it was at a stage where he only had 3-6 months to live.

I remember sitting with Larry in his office during what would have been his last few weeks at work. I felt a little awkward, i mean what do you say to someone who's dying? Sorry? So that's what i did, i just said "I'm really sorry." Seemed a little inadequate but it's about the best i had.

Larry went on to explain to me that he wasn't sorry. Sure he was disappointed but he had a real peace about what lay before him. Now before you take the offering, no, we're not going there. Put the weird velvet bag with the "horn" handles away. Anyhoo, i digress...

What Larry said was that in his fifty-something years on the planet he'd seen the world, he'd met some amazing people, he'd experienced some incredible things, he'd lived a full life and he had no regrets.

Wow.

Larry died within a few months.

I still think about that short conversation a lot. I think about being in my 50's and being content. Not becoming complacent or giving up. Just living in a place where i could, if i got that news, be happy with the path behind me.

And thats that. Fifteen bucks for movie tickets. Eleven bucks for drinks (smuggled in the candy). And a whole lot of deep thinking.