The Last Night Before Going Home

I write this on the eve of my departure home. Genesis will stay in her berth until Captain James loads her on the ship. The sailing date has changed from Apr 20 – Apr 23 – May 5 and still may change. I can no longer wait with her and see her lifted onto the ship. This brings sadness with it. I am not abandoning her but have left her in good hands. I have met Captain James and he has assured me that even if Genesis broke down he will get her on that ship to make her trip home.

Pam left yesterday and one has to wonder where the time goes. I have spent my first day alone since Ken died and you know I woke up, the sun is shining, there are tears but I know I have been blessed with such good memories.  Not everyone can say they have or had a good marriage with the best friend ever.

There are a lot of firsts in my life these days as I had the handyman. Even using a screw driver is foreign to me at times. So to fix my fans, make repairs has been a major ego boost. It may come with some tears first but there is the little voice (or booming voice) saying “you’re doing a good job keep it up”. I still don’t know which name goes with which screw driver but who cares! I haven’t started on the power tools yet. Baby steps!

The sea kayaks, the bimini, and any external things have been stowed. The inside of the boat looks almost barren, well hidden out of sight. I am duck taping the cupboards (never ever did this before) just to ensure nothing goes flying. The last bit of laundry will almost be finished and packed. I have tested the engines and the transmissions to make sure there are no surprises. I checked all the fluids (even though I know Ernie and Kenny did this when we arrived) All looks good. She is ready for her big ride. I hope she can enjoy the sights that she worked so hard to show us.

Eleanor Roosevelt said’ “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror, I can take the next thing that comes along. “You must do the thing you think you cannot do”.

I must say this statement is so correct. I am not the person who left Vancouver aboard Genesis almost 3 years ago. The boating experience that Ken and I both have gained in such a short time is insurmountable.  The lessons I have had to learn since Ken’s death sometimes overwhelming, but with it come satisfaction that he taught me well and I have taught myself well.

Genesis and I have travelled 12,000 nautical miles. We have endured hurricane warnings, papagayos, Tehuenepec, pirates (actually we never saw them), large swells ,large waves, storm force winds, gale winds, engine break downs, serious burns and death and the feeling of hopelessness.  However we have witness the beauty this world has to offer both in its people and its nature; in the end the beauty out ways the rest. Ken would only want it that way. The world is truly a great place. One has to have some faith.

The one thing I must put out there for all is that we get trapped in our daily lives.  Make plans and work your plan. Be disciplined with your plan. I encourage you to take charge of your life. Thank God we did or we never would have had this experience.

A very wise man (my grandfather) once told me if a problem can be fixed by money it isn’t a problem. Your family and friends should come first. If you treat people with respect they will return the favour and then some.

Another very wise person (Ken) would answer the question, “How are you today?” with “Really, really average.” Try it sometime and see how a question that normally a person couldn’t care if you answer puts a smile on a person’s face and ensures a positive conversation. I have been trying it and it is amazing. I use to roll my eyes when he said this but now it makes me laugh.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.  Dream.  Discover.”     Mark Twain

Need I say more, go and discover be it a walk in the woods, trips to other countries ....... just explore what there is out there; open your eyes, your ears and your heart.