My stepfather was a keen motorcyclist and used to go riding most Sundays. However, he didn’t go in for holidays that much. He couldn’t see the point of them and thought they cost too much money.The first holiday my mother took my brother and I on was a camping trip round the Isle of Wight. My stepfather had no interest in coming with us; probably for the reasons outlined above. Therefore, the three of us took off together. To be honest this was probably the best arrangement.Another year we went camping in Devon and Cornwall and my stepfather came along to moan about the cost of everything and generally put a downer on what could have been a lovely holiday. Luckily, he didn’t join us the next time.So, why am I telling this story? Well, when my stepfather was 42 he was diagnosed with stomach cancer – a cruel fate to befall someone who neither smoked nor drank. The doctors all told him he had about two years left to live. This news brought about a big change in him. My stepfather started doing all sorts of things he’d neglected to do in the past.He went to the Isle of Man for the TT races. As I said he was a keen motorcyclist. He used to go the TT with his father but had not been since he was a child. He also went to Florida – his first time outside the UK as far as I know.He lived two years longer than the doctors had given him, eventually passing away at the ridiculously young age of 46. Sadly, he needed the realization that the end of his life was approaching to spur him on to do things he had probably always wanted to do. Impending death changed him many other ways too. On occasions he was nicer to my brother and I. He even started having the odd ‘medicinal’ drink – a half pint of Guinness. My advice to you is not to be like my stepfather. Live your dreams today. Let your mortality drive your life from now on. Begin everyday with the knowledge that we are only here for a finite time. Begin with the end in mind.