I went for a ride in my 442 today as it’s been a while since I last took her for a ride, I didn’t have any place set in mind to go - I just drove aimlessly on the backroads and the highways.

These last two months have not been a good one for me and my family. A best friend of mine gets diagnosed at the end of May with Pancreatic cancer and dies five weeks later. There are six of us including him and his wife that have been close-best of friends for 42 years. We talked about some trips we would take together now that our children are all grown up and college bills have been just about paid off… but life threw a curve ball.

This has now been followed up with my wife’s dad who has dementia and is missing from his home since July 6. My father in-law is 79 yrs old and he went missing from his home in Hampstead, NH. The police department there along with NH Fish & Game did a number of searches with canine, drones, grid line searches with people and the NH State Trooper’s helicopter was also utilized but it’s as if he disappeared into thin air.

It’s tough to think about enjoying anything at this point with him still missing. As much as I enjoy driving my 442, especially on a nice day like we had in Massachusetts I just didn’t get the enjoyment. My mind is preoccupied with my father in-law’s disappearance and the heavy toll it has taken on our family.

 

My heart and thoughts go out to you. Life can really be trying sometimes for sure. Keep your head up as much as you can. Accept help from family and friends. 🙏

 

Sorry to hear that you have been going through this, thoughts are with you and your family.

 

So sorry to hear that Tom. Pancreatic Cancer and Alzheimer's are terrible things. I think going for a nice easy ride is a great way to get away from things. All the best to you, your wife and family.

 

Sorry to hear this news and my prayers are with you and your family.

 

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your close friend and the disappearance of your Father-in-Law. Both are equally tragic and horrible. I am glad you had the courage to share this information with your Old's friends on this site. My experience is it always helps to relieve at least some of the grief and stress by talking with friends who really care about what you're going through. Reach out anytime and we'll be here for you!

 

I truly appreciate the responses, the post was a venting here for me I guess. I wrote it because it feels strange at this time to be enjoying something while my father in-law is missing. It was all hands on deck searching for him the first two weeks. When that stopped family and friends continued on with the phone calls, placing signs and flyers all around the area. it’s been quite exhausting - both mentally and physically for all of us.

We are getting back to our normal routines again and my wife and I are lookin forward to going off on an rv trip to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in August for two weeks. We had it scheduled for a year now and it comes at a good time for us to get away.

Thanks again.

 

Sorry to hear about your friend and hope your dad is found unharmed. My mom had dem
entia. in the early morning hours of a winters day decided to go for a walk in her night gown and slippers. She got about a mile before she was spotted and returned by a police officer. Fortunately she was physically ok.

 

PS: I completely understand where you are coming from going for drive alone to clear your head. I lost my Mom suddenly. When we pulled the plug it was January 10th in Colorado. I went for a long ride on my motorcycle. Couldn't have cared less about the cold.

Thoughts and prayers.

 

Sometimes we just need a drive. “Thoughts and prayers”