November 30th 2004
It is three in the morning and the winds continue to “blow like stink”. The girls now say that with full gusto. They may not be learning Spanish or French, but they are learning the language of “sailor speak”.
On these cold and windy days, they choose to be confined to the boat and find themselves hunkered down to the hot cocoa, school books, pleasure books, the internet, and the DVD player. Yesterday, we had a “romantic comedy marathon” of Julia Roberts’ films. Tomorrow, we may go for an “animated film marathon” or a “Mel Brooks’ film marathon”. Relaxing with the girls on one of these film marathons has eased the project schedule as we endure this weather. We recognize that there are all sorts of ways to “bond” with your kids; one of our favorite ways is to commit to spend time with them, whether it be watching DVDs or playing board games. Numerous times, we find ourselves at the dinner table in a surreal moment that could be out of a movie scene. We all recognize it and that scene becomes a “touchstone” for laughter, understanding or segue to those delicate subjects, “sex” or “love” and the difference between them.
We are meeting many types of people and I often struggle to understand them. It doesn’t matter where this family seems to go; we are often with people in need of a good ear, a helping hand, and a bowl of soup and time to share. For us, this nomadic life style and traveling in general, is frequently not about the place or the boating experience, but quite often about the people we meet. Some have said that this website isn't “enough” about the boat and the gear, the technical aspects. Even the Captain admits, that the boat is a means and not an end to this journey and the boat certainly isn't what this family is about. The boat is just the means, the vessel, for a nearly self sufficient and affordable lifestyle. And quite often what we remember the most of the daily travels are about whom, not what occurs each day.
For example, even in our cruising mode, with no time clocks to punch, no bosses, and no school bells, there are those on “schedules” who run frantically, at Type A speed, to get projects DONE and to pressure others to get projects DONE. They fret, worry and query with such intensity that they spin into a twirl that becomes a natural centrifugal force, causing no one to want to be close to them. A human tornado is not a magnet for caring, loving or friendship. Oh, so obvious, but nothing can stick when movement is so fierce. We wonder, at a distance, what they may be missing of life as they spin so fiercely? We are not judging, just wondering, if there is more stress in meeting a self-imposed schedule or commitment, than looking for an option to slow the tornado down or wait or weigh matters for their just value? As the holiday season begins, I wonder if this isn't true, for landlubbers as much as cruisers?
On another occasion, we had the unexpected visit of a half crazed cruiser whose spouse had become filled with the thoughtlessness and a silly grin while under the influences of libations. Hurt and frustrated, she need a place to vent and hugs to heal her. We were open to her, available to them, and willing to aid them through a tough marriage moment. They aren't a perfect couple, but then neither is we. John and I felt really good that neither of us was in too much of a hurry, to drop what we were doing and be there with our ears and our sense of humor to cajole them through their rough seas to a gentle place where they could met again.
Some may say that we linger too long in one place, don't get much done each day, or we miss opportunities of wealth and prosperity, but we aren't sure we are missing anything, if the time spent is living in an awake state, musing down a gentle road, meeting travelers along the way?
But we'll not preach this, as the way for everyone or a divine truth, for the truth for me, may not fit for you. Isn’t that the only certainty in life: “I ain’t you. You ain’t me. And that’s ok.” It all is about an attitude of assisting rather than resisting, opening rather than closing, and giving rather than receiving.
We have many chances to “tolerate diversity” in this lifestyle, cruisers come in ALL shapes and sizes, ALL with their own unique perspective.
At times when conditions exist like tonight, we are reminded once again that it is better to walk a gentle path with an outstretched hand than be a SOB or SNOB. For when the wind blows and the anchor goes, you're mighty alone, when you've only made foes.