Carpe Diem is More Important Than Ever

 

One of the problems of aging is people around us succumb to old age. Friends, relatives, and those we admire simply leave the planet.

One of the joys of Argelès is the variety of people who not only live there and share their rich Catalan culture, but those from all over Europe who love this tiny village and visit as often as they can. There's joy when we know Peter, Pauline, Chris, Kay and many more are coming for a week or a month or even more. And they come from Ireland, Scotland Sweden, Germany and elsewhere. What fun to share a coffee, a glass of wine and play catch up.

We've watched their children grow and take on the cares and joy of adulthood and then watch their children do the same. 

The downside is we also watch them age, contract illnesses and die.

I'm still feeling the loss of Ingolf Gabold, a Danish television producer, musician, playwrite and author. When he and his lovely wife descended on Argelès often with their friends from the Danish entertainment industry, 

We knew him as a warm and magnanimous friend. Always with a smile, a hug and a two-cheek kiss with the scratchy beard.

We looked forward to the next time we would greet Ingolf and the love of his life, Kikke, sometimes one of his lovely adult daughters, even his adorable grandson. 

We'd sit together at L'Hostalet café, or in their modest apartment over an apero or dinner, and discuss topics ranging from literature (he was a writer as well) and global politics.

Christmas eve 2025: Ingolf's wife, one of his daughter's and grandson who tops the adorable chart came together in an Irish friend's home. It's less than a first home but more than a second as they hop back and forth. Also at the table were a Greek friend, an American who everyone had just met and was considering moving out of the U.S., a French-Catalan and other locals. Everyone brought something.

As I looked around I felt incredible lucky to celebrate this evening because I knew the moment was for now and only now. Carpe diem is more important than ever as the moments descend into memories to be taken our and recaptured to be put back in their box.