August 2, 2006 - Day 1 - Week 18 - Packing Up

The last day of any vacation is frequently the most interesting for me.  The first few days, and for that matter, the first week is often a time of simply unwinding from the rigors, or stress of daily life. What is all to common is that relaxation on vacation has become a pipe dream for at least half of the allocated days, but those last few days, aah, heaven.  Nothing else to accomplish, everyone seen that needs to be seen, and the list of have to do this is exhausted.  With four or five days left the vacation becomes a time for re-creation.  Re-creation is essential, especially when battling an illness, be it the common cold or cancer.

Too often I have found myself recreating, rather than re-creating on my designated holiday.  For some reason to get my money’s worth out of the 12 days I must fish, swim, sail, hike, kayak, windsurf, water-ski, clam, go out to eat at the Impudent Oyster (usually more than once), play miniature golf, have breakfast at Heaven Café in P’Town – I am exhausted just listing the recreational opportunities.

However, knowing my habitual programmed Cape Cod vacation was going to happen, I set aside a portion of every day, not just at the end, for re-creation time.  What I mean by this is quiet time, reading time, walking time or just being plain useless sitting watching the gulls elevate on the thermals and updrafts in front of our home.

How often can we proclaim our day has been totally useless and mean something positive has happened?  A good day at the end of the vacation is a day when nothing, absolutely nothing is accomplished.

Yet, even when battling cancer there is the have to do list that seems endless.  Visits to the doctor, such as the one tomorrow, are at least 7 days a month, on a good month.  Then there is the exercise regimen.  One and half hours daily, for a minimum of 5 days a week, seems to work best for me.  Then throw in finding the new dietary selections, and since they are mostly fresh items, frequenting the grocery is almost daily. Supplements come in bottles, but taking one tablet from one bottle on a daily basis is a ridiculous waste of time.

The 7 day remedy is the plastic container segmented for each day of the week and capable of handling the 12 or so pills I take daily.  In other words, adding this to the normal routine of life and exhaustion is often the result.

My routine changed more than I had hoped it would on my vacation.  The days flew by because I was on auto pilot, borne of necessity, because I had so much to accomplish in a day.  Thus, I learned a valuable lesson.  When sick it is crucial to find time to be completely useless. However, I shirked my exercise, indulged my cravings too frequently, over-exerted several times, and saw that I did not live up to my own expectations very well.

On the other hand, and I am glad I have two hands, the last day of vacation, because I allowed down time to be counted as worthy time, was a day filled with energy and anticipation.  I saw as Katy and I put the kayaks away that I was already anticipating the next time back at Cape Cod.   I was not burned out even though the laundry list of activities both discretionary and mandatory was extensive.  Add in family for all but one of the days and you have a picture of a busy 12 days.  The last day was special for I had time to reflect.

Never one to avoid the challenge of multi-tasking, this old adage must direct my behavior and take precedence over everything else;  this is a hard lesson to learn, but Peter,  fill up your reservoir, and why,  because it is always draining to what lies downstream.  Peter take ten minutes, at least, every day to restore your island quality and you will serve you better. 

Am I renewed and refreshed from this vacation ready to meet chemo therapy tomorrow morning sharp at 7:30 am West Coast Time?  Well, I think I tried to be the boy I once knew on Cape Cod and forgot my present state of being.

Yet, once again I smile inwardly anticipating one more visit to the Cape at the end of August and another chance to be useless just a little bit more.  Excuse now, I must put the clam rakes away, rinse off the kayaks, store the fishing rods and, and, and…….

Back to Week 18