By David Tepera, November 19, 2025
Recently, mom and I visited my Uncle Johnny in San Antonio. You see, Johnny is dad’s twin brother, and was recently given less than six months to live. Cancer has rapidly spread to his lungs, bones, and other parts of the body.
My dad passed four years ago from melanoma at the age of 80, and my uncle just turned 85. At-this-time, he is the oldest living, Tepera. Just know, I’m of Czech decent, and Johnny is one of the last full bloods knowing the language fluently.
Well, when mom and I pulled up to my uncle’s house, to our surprise, he had just finished a 1-mile walk. As we went inside, Johnny refused to sit down. Actually, we moved to the backyard, so he could boast about all the gardening and orange trees.
You see, Uncle Johnny knows life is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean to throw in the towel, sit around and just wither away. Why not keep living while you’re living?
Johnny has an only daughter named Jennifer. She has taken over all the hospice, insurance, doctor’s schedules, plus anything related to helping her dad. I will say “Jennifer is an angel for my favorite uncle”.
Now, what’s the lesson in this? How many people sit around and gave up on living? Don’t be mad, but for some people, why are you still relying on a motor scooter? Why do you hang out all day in a recliner watching dumb tv programs? When’s the last time you took a stroll outside and let mother nature kiss your skin?
What motivation do you need to get up and start living while you’re living? All our elderly clients came to us with a variety of physical setbacks, but they wanted to keep enjoying life.
We are humbled to see the joy on their faces as they describe traveling again, gardening, golfing, plus returning to their favorite hobbies.
It’s time to throw excuses out the window because they have no purpose. I don’t care what your current situation may be, just get up and take back life.
It’s possible, I might not see my Uncle Johnny alive again, but his inspiration will be with me for eternity. Now, start living while you are living.