Paul,
A day without shamus on the gauge is like a day without sunshine. Like sunshine, we all begin to take for granted that you would always be here. Your regular prescence will be missed.
We cannot bring our yesterdays back, and make changes. They are done and over. There's nothing "in the contract" that guarantees tomorrow. We can plan for it, but we can't be sure it will come. There's only today, and we have to make the best of what we have. So, make the best of your todays, and if that ocassionally includes a short trip to the gauge, you'll make a bunch of friends happy that you dropped by for a visit. Even when you're not here, you'll be in our thoughts, and in our prayers.
Fair winds and following seas, and a safe harbor at the end of each day's journey.
Pete