I reached an unwanted milestone in my life yesterday – I decided to give up my membership in the Vancouver Venturers Walking Club – which I affectionately describe as my Ventures of a Lifetime.

The original name of the club was actually known as the Vancouver ‘Venturers Volkssport Club – and the ‘Venturers was actually short for Adventurers.

Although I do not support quitting or giving up on a dream or goal, sometimes the path we choose to travel comes to a river with no visible means of crossing to the other side.

I have not been able to walk with the club for about a year because of my ongoing health problems but I have tried to stay in touch with the many friends I have since joining the club several years ago.

However, sometimes, I attend a scheduled walk, just to socialize with everyone during the 30-minute period prior to the start of the walk.

But then everyone begins walking either the 5km or 10km route – and I get back in my car and drive home – feeling sorry for myself.

And lonely.

Cancer is why I began to walk shortly after my treatments ended in late 2009.

I had been given a 40% chance of surviving but I was determined to live and vowed to Never Give Up the fight by being a warrior.

Warriors do not wait for the enemy to invade – they remain focused on fighting rather than accepting defeat in the war.

So, rather than sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself, I decided that I would begin living a healthier lifestyle to survive the battle.

I chose to walk each day, at a place that would keep me motivated – the promenade and pier in White Rock.

Initially, I parked at the west beach parking lot and would try to walk as far as I could each day. I liked the fact that there are benches along the route, where I could sit when I got tired.

I had lost approximately 100 pounds after my radiation and chemotherapy treatments and most of that was muscle – so, I tired very easily.

It took me several attempts to walk as far as the pier and each day I walked a bit further in the 2.79-mile route (return).

I have written several stories about my early walks in White Rock including this one from May 16, 2012 – A Smile, Nod, or Wink, in White Rock

But after a few years, I was getting bored with walking alone and my daily walks became fewer, although I was proud of myself for getting back in shape – both physically and emotionally.

One day, while doing a search on Meetups for walking – I came up with the names of several walking clubs in the Lower Mainland, including one for the Vancouver Venturers Walking Club.

I wrote many stories about the Vancouver Venturers Walking Club, including this one Bridges, Piers, and Seawalls

Sometimes, all good things must come to an end and painful decisions must be made.

Although my health issues Welcome Back Dear Friends continue to challenge me – I am a realist and therefore, I decided to give up my membership with the club.

Being a member of a walking club but not being able to walk, is like being a kid in a candy store with no money.

Speaking of candy stores and no money – Little Danny knew that from experience…

I hope to continue my short walks on the promenade and pier but will only do so with another person.

Maybe, that person will be you.

Before closing, I want to mention another thing that upset me this week.

A friend from the ’60s, contacted me several days ago, to see how I was doing.

I wrote a reply and mentioned that I knew that they were going to be celebrating their 70th birthday on August 30th.

I also sent them an electronic birthday card and wrote a personal message describing our time together in the 1960s, and invited them to read my stories about those times and others, that I have written on this website.

But when this person read that I was moving into an apartment with my ex-wife Annette, they sent a very nasty email to me – telling me to never contact them again!

I am not interested in starting a relationship with someone who lives two thousand miles away – and certainly not with them.

The past is yesterday and the best place to store memories – is the past!

Annette knows I date others and that is part of our agreement to live together.

She has her life and I have mine.

But I needed help for both me and my dog, Holly, and Annette has always been there for me.

So, I guess that old friend was looking for something that I was not able to offer – but life goes on.

Sometimes, a friendship is not really genuine – especially one with unrealistic expectations.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Today, during my coffee with Norm, we talked about my decision to leave the walking club and he understood exactly what I was going through.

We also agreed to meet again next week and the week after, and the week after…

And that, dear friends, is what friendships are all about.

UPDATE: Thursday, September 9th – 2:30 PM

Yesterday, I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and after all of the tests, the ER doctor said I had pneumonia and indicated the radiologist’s summary of my chest x-rays confirmed that it appears the pneumonia was caused by aspiration (when food or fluid enters the air passage).

While in the hospital, I did a lot of thinking and did not want to cause any confusion about the identity of the girl I dated in the ’60s – because there were a number of girlfriends I dated back then.

The girl and I became friends at one point on Facebook and I saw and hugged her at my mom’s funeral service. She was married at the time.

I wrote about her breaking off our engagement because her father forbade her from marrying me.

I threw the engagement ring she returned to me – into the harbor in Oshawa.

About twelve years ago, during our brief period of communication, she indicated that she and her husband were separated because she learned that he had been cheating on her with her cousin’s wife, for 35 years.

I was shocked by the news and decided to write a screenplay – loosely based on her experience, with the names and locations changed.

But time is precious and so are memories, and I now plan to include the screenplay on my website – in a story format and in installments.

I wish her no hard feelings and hope she has a happy and healthy life.

Dedicated to Doug & Nancy Jackson & club members

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

Have you been around?
Have you done your share of comin’ down
On different things that people do?

Have you been aware?
You got brothers and sisters who care
About what’s gonna happen to you
In a year from now

Maybe, I’ll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe, I’ll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they’ll be givin’ away
When we all live together, we’re talkin’ ’bout together, now

Maybe, I’ll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe, I’ll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they’ll be givin’ away
When we all live together, we’re talkin’ ’bout together, now

Did you pay your dues?
Did you read the news
This morning when the paper landed in your yard?
Do you know their names?
Can you play their games
Without losin’ track
And coming down a bit too hard? Oh

Maybe, I’ll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe, I’ll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they’ll be givin’ away
When we all live together, we’re talkin’ ’bout together, now

Maybe, I’ll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe, I’ll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they’ll be givin’ away
When we all live together, we’re talkin’ ’bout together, now

Maybe, I’ll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe, I’ll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they’ll be givin’ away
When we all live together, we’re talkin’ ’bout together, now

Maybe, I’ll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe, I’ll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they’ll be givin’ away
When we all live together, together together

(Shake your hand, share the land)
You know I’ll be standing by to help you if you worry
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Now more sadness, no more sorrow, and no more bad times
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everyday comin’ sunshine, everyday everybody laughin’
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin’ together by the river, walkin’ together and laughin’
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin’ together, everybody singin’ and laughin’
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Good times, good times, everybody walkin’ by the river now
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin’, singin’, talkin’, smilin’, laughin’ diggin’ each other
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody happy together, I’ll be there to worry you if you need-a me
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Call on me, call on me, call my name, I’ll be runnin’ to help you
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody walkin’ by the river now, everyday everybody laughin’
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin’ and talkin’, smilin’, laughin’, diggin’ each other

Songwriters: Burton Cummings
Share The Land lyrics © Shillelagh Music