It was a sad day when this email popped into my Inbox.

“I am Billy G’s wife and I just wanted to let you know that
Billy just passed away of a massive heart attack…

Billy was so interested in buying a property for us in Costa Rica when we retired but
Since his passing I am not interested in moving to Costa Rica by myself

So please remove his e-mail address from you address book and
Thank you for corresponding with my husband.”

You may have seen Robin Williams speak of ‘carpe diem’ in the entertaining 1989 movie Dead Poet’s Society.

In saying ‘carpe diem’, he is uttering words originally taken from one of Horace’s odes (full name – Quintus Horatius Flaccus 65 BC — 8 BC) where he uses agricultural metaphors to urge us to embrace the pleasures available in everyday life instead of relying on remote aspirations for the future–hence in his immortal motto “Carpe Diem”, or “pluck the day”, like Robin Williams, most people are more familiar with the translation of “seize the day”.

The full phrase in Latin is ‘Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero’ which means: “Pluck the day, put no trust in the future”. The ode also speaks of how the future is unknowable and to drink one’s wine.

My thoughts today also go out to the loving husband – and very talented artist – and family of Carol Patterson (VIP Member of this site since 2007) who died of a “massive heart attack” on 9th November 2011 in La Fortuna, Costa Rica at age 53.

None of us know exactly how much time we have so, if you have plans to live a new life – perhaps in Costa Rica – then seize the day! Take action, make it happen, “drink one’s wine” and enjoy it while you can.

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Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1. Costa Rica Real Estate Scams & How To Avoid Them, 2. How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, and 3. Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.