I was one of three men yesterday to see the Downton Abbey movie. Not to be a spoiler, but everyone seems to have found a partner – except Mrs. Patmore, who really was never a Mrs. The movie was a nice distraction from moving. I did complete one shuttle run to the new apartment and had a friend help me move some heavy plant pots next door. In the meantime, I struggled with internet problems that delayed my daily blog entry, and interrupted episode 4 of the Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary. So far, I’ve watched just over half of the sixteen hour presentation.

Tonight is “Date Night,” and we’ll celebrate the official closing of our house. Only 5 days remain until the professional movers finalize the process of shuttling our possessions from condo to apartment. I’ve found that the best way to transport our vast wine collection is in my stomach. It at least numbs the pain of giving away thousands and thousands of dollars in minks, clothes, furniture, and plants that we no longer have room to keep. I can only hope that the cost-per-use on these items has dropped low enough to justify their initial purchase price. (See Post #633) Ideally, if we don’t own them any more, at the very least we got our money’s worth while they were in our possession throughout the years.

On the way to see Downton Abbey, I got some bad news about a friend of ours. Cancer! I couldn’t help but think about her during the movie. She’s only 7 years older than I am and always had a great attitude – full of energy. It’s always a shock when your peers have to face this kind of life threatening challenge. I’m not sure I could do it. She and her husband have the resources to fight it, but will she have the strength? As I sit here and write about the hassles of retirement, I can’t think of a bigger one than poor health. It ruins all those plans of world travel that you dream about your entire life. Instead, you’re in one hospital room after another, hoping for a day without pain. That disturbing thought came to me again this morning as I was running, my personal insurance policy against illness. This same friend was just recovering from two knee replacement surgeries when they discovered the cancer in her bone marrow. Her sense of sarcastic humor was reflected in the fact that she now “at least had two good knees.” This in conjunction with doctor’s diagnosis of the cancer “was kind of like asking Mrs. Lincoln how she liked the play?”

Despite this distraction, I enjoyed the movie and felt that it left few unanswered questions. I’m sure there will be a reunion encore sometime in the future. Shifting to reality, I would also like to get back together with this friend before it’s too late. Her husband is now in his 80’s and it’s been a little over a year since they visited Portland. I remember he told me that he used to run, but his poor sense of balance wouldn’t allow it any more. It was a wake-up call that we are all getting older and that we won’t be able to always do the things we love. You learn so much from those with more experience in life, and this allows you to prepare. As a physician himself, I’m sure that he is prepared to deal with his wife’s challenge much more than her friends are. Sometimes, life sucks, and doesn’t have the happy ending of a Downton Abbey movie.