Marjorie had chosen to come into residential care after several years of cruising the world following the death of her beloved Lionel. When they crossed paths for the first time, he was a young merchant sailor navigating the open seas.
At the tender age of seventeen, with no romantic experience, they found themselves drawn to each other and quickly kindled a blossoming boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.
Their first date was to see “Brief Encounter” with Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard playing at their local cinema. The film ended with Marjorie and Lionel in tears, completely and hopelessly in love. A short courtship followed, and they were married the following Spring.
Forty years of blissful marriage and the birth of their son Richard made life complete until Lionel died suddenly following a major heart attack at fifty-eight. As Marjorie said, “He left me too soon when we were still madly in love”.
Unsure what to do with the rest of her life, knowing that she was mortgage-free and that a hefty life insurance payout would give her financial options. Marjorie chose to sail the oceans with back-to-back cruises, visiting all four continents and experiencing fine food and the company of many people from different walks of life than hers.
Life was carefree, with no obligations and only a few decisions to be made except which restaurant to eat in that evening and which excursion to take the following day. The fleeting friendships with fellow passengers and the knowledge she would never see them again made her reflect on what she was doing!
The crew were friendly and often told Marjorie she had everything she needed on board, jokingly saying not to die at sea, but if she did, they could arrange the funeral.
For most people, sailing around the world would be a dream come true, but after several years, daily life became mundane, and she became melancholy about another sunrise, another sunset and endless excursions to see ancient monuments or churches. So it was time to come home.
Marjorie commented that journeys take us on many pathways, although they lead us to the same destination.
Cruising served its purpose for a while; Marjorie had been a daughter, mother and wife all her life, putting everyone first before herself. For once, she had been able to think about what she wanted. Possibly, the thought of sailing the ocean would be akin to reliving Lionel’s adventures as a merchant sailor.
Now, for her final stage in life, she was content with being cared for in a residential care setting, resigned to the fact she was in God’s waiting room and would be reunited with her beloved Lionel one day.
Those sentiments were portrayed in such a matter-of-fact way, and she had convinced herself of the inevitable fate ahead of her. Looking back at me as she walked away, smiling and nodding, somehow knowing it would soon be her time. Five days later, Marjorie passed away in her sleep.
Oscar Wild once said, ” Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”
