Recently I wrote that I often felt I’d left unfinished business after a long fishing day, regardless of the success of the outing.

Indeed, Friday I launched my laptop computer for the first time in two weeks. I wanted to return to writing this column, but along the way I discovered a bunch of other unfinished business in my busy and productive life.

The lawn needed to be cut, my two email account inboxes bulged with more than 600 unopened messages and I had no fishing experiences from the past 14 days to share with readers.

The reason for my hiatus from writing, fishing, responding to emails and, for that matter loving the rounds of golf I enjoy with buddies, was the heart surgery I’d undergone June 20 at the Cleveland Clinic.

Talk about unfinished business. What began as a routine visit to my primary care physician swiftly advanced to testing that revealed my heart was a ticking time bomb. Literally everything went on hold as the surgeons scoped out their plan and I was whisked into the operating room at the world-renowned heart hospital.

Ten hours later, I heard people calling my name and prepping me for the removal of a ventilator that eased me out of sedation while my body began to learn how to breathe again. Ten days later, I was released to return home, and I passed time by reflecting on my good fortune and the happy things that have made my life full and fun.

Surgery was successful and now the long recovery process is real for me, just as it has been for millions of people saved by the miracle of coronary bypass grafting and valve repairs work.

How fortunate we are to get second chances. We are served an opportunity to fix our bodies and redirect our energies to the things that we love to do. The parallels to fishing are remarkable. In fact, much about how enthusiasts like me use fishing as fun, relaxation and motivation apply in many other important areas of our lives.

I won’t be cleared to tow the boat to the lake and spend a day on the water until after Labor Day. The day I next swing a golf club will probably dawn in mid-September.

The surgeons’ and cardiologists’ skills and experience, and the knowledge and compassion of the Clinic’s cardiac nursing staff are working for me, along with a table full of medicine bottles and months of cardiac rehab.

But I also know so many others are on my team as I knuckle down to recover. Barb has gone above and beyond as wife, nurse and supporter. She’s key in my drive to return to full-time fun with her, our legion of friends and my passions. I am grateful that daughter Betsy could be at Barb’s side during long days at nights in Cleveland.

Friends from across our country have rallied as well. Their encouragement that fishing will soon be back on my weekly to-do lists makes that all the more achievable. If you ever wonder whether to call a sick friend or mail a card, do it. Few things in life are as motivating as outreaches like those.

I’d thought about second chances on a lake three weeks ago – and now I have many to pursue. It all became real this afternoon as I made my first visit to the BassCat. The 50-foot walk to the garage (escorted by Barb) left me exhausted, but I know the journey was necessary, as was actually writing this column.

There is much to do – and much to do to get there.

Perhaps you are on the verge of second chances yourself. Pay attention to what’s happening. They may be closer than you suspect.

Jack Wollitz’s book, “The Common Angler,” explores the fun stuff that makes fishing a passion for so many people. He appreciates emails from readers. Send a note to jackbbaass@gmail.com.