For the first time in much of my life, I am without a boat. I sold the Morgan 33 Out Island to a relatively young couple, they loved everything they saw when they inspected the boat, they had a very limited budget, but I, reluctantly, accepted their offer.

My health condition has worsened significantly, I can no longer breathe without supplemental oxygen and even with the O2, it's a real struggle. I will be 79 next month, and, unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that there are things I just can no longer do, including sail single handed, which was the case most of the time for the past decade. Most of my close friends have long since passed away, my wife has some serious health issues and could not safely access the boat, so my sailing days are over.

My loving wife of 57 years is underwent a hip replacement last Thursday and is current in rehab at a nearby facility. She is doing remarkably well and with any kind of luck, should be home in two weeks. I visit her every day at least twice, hotrodding around the halls of the center on my Jazzy to get to her room. I really miss her and wake up night wondering why she is not my my side in the bed. It's a weird felling not having her next to me.

My lung condition has worsened significantly, I can no longer sing, and this is very depressing. Ironically, Carol is rehabbing at a center that I performed at for 14 years and the AD visited her and told he that everyone there really misses me. Nice!

The last song I recorded was in May when I fired up the S-950 and created backing tracks using the fast jazz style, slowed it down, then spent nearly a week putting it all together. I dedicated this song to my daughter Laura. She said it brought tears to her eyes. Laura

I'm not dead yet, but a lot closer to death's door,

Gary

Hang in there Gary, we all miss you. Beautiful song for, no doubt, a wonderful lady , if she’s anything like her dad.

Remarkable what they can do nowadays with hip and knee replacements. My friend had her first hip replacement at about age 35. Back in the 80’s , knocked her about for a while. Had to have it redone a few years back, she was up and about in no time.

So sorry to hear about your lungs getting worse.

Hi Gary,
I am so saddened by your post tonight. I downloaded "Laura" - it is really good. I want to go on record here to tell you how much of an influence you have been on me and how much you have helped me learn about Arranger keyboards. I hope all the people on the forums you use know about you and how much you have done to help others in their search to become better players and performing musicians.

I know you will miss sailing - but something else will surely come along for you to fill your days. Like you ,I have been married 57 years and can not imagine being alone without my wife for any length of time. I wish you and your wife well and will make sure you both are included in my prayers. Thank you Gary for all you have done!

Deane

Nice to see you here, Gary;

Your song is a really good work; thank you for sharing!

Sorry that you have to deal with some many challenges. I guess, life is a soft of a test, although I’m not a religious person, I believe that any result counts.

Surely, regardless of what you say, I believe that you are going to be well and stay with us forever; reading your meaningful messages I picture a healthy person, who’s older than me, but still young.

Today, even not being religious, it’s easy to picture that a body is just like a flash drive, and a soul is like data, which can be uploaded into a cloud. While such services like Google are capable to keep practically all the internet inside, it’s also easier to picture some “heaven” which can actually work.

In the end, we are all afraid of changes because we never know how it’s going to work out, but afterwards we are happy that we turned to a next page/chapter.

Nowadays I’m not sure if I value music more than words; I see that when it’s used properly, words can play a very important part. I always enjoy reading your words; and I’m aware that you actually worked as a journalist, so I believe that even with no boat or singing you still have this amazing power of a word and there’s still a lot of difference that you can make here or on psrtutorial; and not only when it comes to keyboards but on every aspect of life.

Hi Gary,
After such an eloquent post, I am not sure I can contribute, but I will try.
Recently I was required to undergo a driving test to determine if I was safe to be on the road, (I'm only 85).
You can now refer to me as "008, LICENSE TO KILL" , I passed ,and am now free for 2 years to cause havoc on the freeway,(like you were on the waterway, just another chapter in our diary.
No doubt you enjoyed your time on the water, but we all must move on. Spoil your lady when she gets back home, spend time in your lovely surroundings, and reflect on all that you have achieved in life, which is considerable,and you will reap the most satisfying rewards you deserve.

Ray

Keep dancing

Gary, like you I am on the last road home., we all get there. One of our friends here on SZ wrote: “The older I get, the more I realize how good I was”. It’s a new season, I surround myself with the thoughts of what I have done, my accomplishments. It’s time to reflect, and it is a source of joy –Look at what little me has done, I am well pleased.

There are many who are not able to reach the height of giving and helping; of sharing, of the many good experiences you had in your music career, you have been given a gift. Now is the time for enjoying what you have accomplished, throw all negatives behind you, your health is what it is.

Spend some time reviewing and sharing again some of your best accomplishments. Share that with your friends here on SZ.

Gary what was your best accomplishment?
Take care my friend, John C.

PS, Kabinopus I like what you have posted, NICE!

Hey Gary, I’m so sorry to hear about your setbacks. I’m glad to hear from you though, and really enjoyed your rendition of “Laura” It sounds like you put a lot work and thought into your excellent arrangement. That’s so lovely that your daughter was so moved by her dad’s music. Hang in there my friend.

Been missing your posts, Gary:

Sorry 'bout the boat... but maintenance and storage are on-going expenses and time consumers. I know your health is a real drag these days and you are doing what needs to be done. It's always good to hear from you... so, hang in there and stay with us 'cause you are so important to this group.

Thanks for updating everybody Gary. And I really appreciate our recent conversation.
I remember what it felt like when I had to give up music 7 years ago. Sold instruments, audio equipment, everything. Left a big hole in what was a lifetime activity. Fortunately I was able to return to it 4-5 years later but not with the same strength, depth, or success. My point is I know the feeling of giving in to your limitations and giving up what you must at times.
At this point it is obviously about what you can do. Stay in touch with your friends here, and don't be afraid to ask for help. You've given enough to everyone here.

Gary, you and Carol are in our prayers ...

Gary
Wondering where you have been. Laura is a great Standard and you did a wonderful job with it, especially the muted trumpet solo. Great sound.
Sorry to hear of your health problems and giving up your boat but remember the good times you had on it. I too miss my Motorcycle but unlike your situation I gave it up voluntarily. It was just circumstances and time.
Best wishes for your wifes recovery and your health.

You are loved!


R.

Hi Gary...best wishes from this old Canuck.

You've been a wonderful help to me...thank you kindly for sharing your experience and your knowledge.

Ian

Gary always there for me I love you man!

Best wishes Gary. I know you have been trying to sell the boat for some time, so at least that was accomplished even though it is bittersweet.

Gary, glad you found your way back. Wonderful rendition of Laura. Please keep us updated on your wife’s progress and know your in my thoughts and prayers each day.
jingleman

Thanks again, everyone for being here. I can clearly remember the very first time I met DNJ in New Jersey. He was having an overheating problem with his Barbetta 450-watt powered speakers. I took them apart installed 110-volt, quiet cooling fans, bored a vent opening in the back of the speaker and the problem was solved. Barbetta added cooling fans the following year.

On that same trip, I met with UD, Fran and went to Donny's Dance Club with my wife. We had a great time, saw UD perform at a North Jersey Rib Place, then spent the next 3 hours watching Donny entertain the ladies and met his lovely wife Nancy and the rest of his family. What a great road trip.

It was a couple months later when I saw UD again performing in a Philly, Italian Restaurant with the Bose L1 PAS - WOW! The very next day I ordered the PAS for myself and never looked back. Now, just about every DJ and KJ in my area is using the PAS and they love it.

Thanks again for the well wishes, everyone,

Gary

Gary ole buddie, your posts are becoming so very depressing. Is there anything going on in your life on the positive side? Lets hear what items on your bucket list that are going to be taken care of with all the $ from the boat sale. I know you. You have always been such a positive person. I can't believe you're not scheming some grand last adventure!

Earl, I have led a life that many my wife will tell you that most folks only dream of. The bbucket has been filled many times, I've traveled the worldvisiting more than 100 countries, sailed single handed to the Florida Keys .lived aboard my 33-foot sailing yacht, playing music to fellow cruisers under the stars. I've met so many wonderful people, both while cruising the US East Coast and here on the Synthzone. My wife and I traveled the southeast and south central US visiting zone members and watching them perform.

Now, in my twilight years, I am dying of a nasty, terminal, lung disease, struggling for each and every breath. My biggest fear at this point is that I will not be able to adequately care for my loving wife when she comes home from rehab/assisted living next week. Thankfully, I have my daughter to assist me when times get tough.

While I still have most of my mental faculties, I hope to be able to contribute to the forums that I have frequented over the years and continue to provide assistance to others when I can.

All the best,

Gary

Gary,

How I wish we could see eye to eye on the things pertaining to the coming life. This life is but a blink in preparation for what is to come - it is glorious if we've invested in it.

With the severe chest pains I've been walking about for more than a year already, by any human logic I should have been a corpse by now. I am not bothered in the least by the eventual outcome as I am fully prepared for the next phase of the journey.

Too bad I cannot elaborate more over here. Think about it my friend for soon most of us us will think about nothing else. (Nothing else matters more)

All the best,

Henni

For the first time i don't know what to say..
I can see how selling the boat is a big thing in the acceptance of what is to come..

Just make sure to enjoy the things you still can do, as long as you can.

Gary,

Sorry to hear of your worsening condition and of Carol’s problems. I’ll always remember the fantastic time we all had at your arranger jam in 2014. Hard to believe 5 years have passed since that jam. Thanks again for the great gig clothing you sent my way too! I’ll be keeping you and Carol in my prayers.

Gary keeping you and your family in my prayers. Cal

Yes, you have had a full life Gary. And obviously it gives you great pleasure to look back on it. I know the feeling of worry about being around to take care of your wife bears down on you. Hang in guy. Hell, truth be told, it is all any of us can really do at this stage of life. One thing you can enjoy the Baltimore seafood a few more times. I just ordered a sampler from Camerons last week. Man those crab cakes where good. I can only do that 2 or 3 times a year. Shipping kills me. You can go out daily. Hell, you can probably have them delivered to the house!

Hang tough fellow Seaman. We Navy guys don't give up.

And I wanted to thank you for not only helping me solve some PSR-3000 problems in the past, but your recent phone calls reassuring me with my own health problems meant a lot.

Love ya man, take care

Gary - sorry to read that you are at present back in the rabbit hole health-wise. Life is full of health-related ups and downs....and as we all are well aware...more frequent downs at our ages.

Wishing you and your wonderful wife improvements in both your health situations.

I remain grateful to you for the wealth of knowledge you have shared over the years.

Godspeed Gary -- and please cook up and consume some Kickapoo joy juice for me!

PS -- Wonderful job on "Laura"!

Larry, it was great to talk with you again and I hope you will soon be on the mend.

Randy, I was hoping to meet up with you again in the sunny south or up here in western Maryland, but as I sit here typing this I have tubes stuck in my nostrils supplying supplemental oxygen and another in my mouth with medications flowing through a nebulizer. My traveling days are over, unfortunately.

Love you guys,

Gary

Gary, are you at least still playing your keyboard? I know that singing is out of the question at the moment, but I hope you're still able to tickle the plastics - self-therapy, if you will.

Thinking of you and Carol.

I don‘t know you personally, many people have written very nice comments which I just want to underline and wish you the best. As there are always ups and downs, maybe breathing will improve a little again. My 90-year-old mother was admitted to hospital in September 2018 in very weak condition, and besides her problems walking she has been doing fine since she was released again two weeks later.
Among the nice comments posted by others, I especially liked the one about still enjoying all kinds of seafood.

Seafood has always been my downfall - especially Maryland crab dishes, which are just incredible. I grew up on fresh seafood from Chesapeake Bay, Oysters, Blue Crab, striped bass, croaker, bluefish, soft shell clams, little neck clams, spot, white perch, blowfish (chicken of the sea), American eel, yellow perch, channel catfish, and many other species. There is nothing that compares to Maryland style crab cakes, and I have tasted them throughout the US and other nations - no comparison!

Thanks everyone,

Gary

Gary, I just want to say, that when I think of this forum, I always think of you....
You have always been there for me, and so many others!
I wish you and your family nothing but peace, love, and happiness!
Being a musician, I know that you already have this and more within your soul!!!

Play on my friend, no vocals required, you are a treasure!!!!

Thanks Jill, I really appreciate your words and hope I will be around long enough to help as many people as I can when those new keyboards arrive. In fact, I even had serious thoughts of buying a new SX 900 so I would be able to help those with problems, but my wife talked me out of it. After 57-years she is still the boss. I usually tell our friends that I am the boss of my family and I have my wife's permission to say so.

Thanks again,

Gary