Thank you all for your kind words, it warms my spirit to hear them, especially from so many of my new friends here at SB. Between the tears are so many smiles, as we sit and remember and rejoice in her life. She was one tough old bird and I can't imagine smiling through what she has gone through over the past six years, but that's exactly what she did. I hope she left some of her strength behind with me.
I feel the need to fish, for it is out on the water that this all makes sense. Funny as I prepare my thoughts and rememberances, it is the love of the ocean I will focus on. For that I owe my parents a huge debt, as they got me into sailing early on in Scituate harbor, first in turnabouts, then Mercurys and finally into my own International 110. They helped and encouraged me to spread my wings and feel the salt spray on my face, as I'd race out of the harbor dancing solo on my trapeze, with only the moon on the horizon to keep me company. So many warm summer nights I can remember fondly, either by myself sailing solo, or listening to the warm conversation and fun around a boat club party.
It's like it happened yesterday
.