It is two months today since I lost Jean-Luc and today I was at the helm as I docked our sailboat for the very first time. I didn't realize anyone was watching until the cheers and clapping started as I successfully docked. Gotta love my neighbours!
It has been a difficult two months but amidst the sadness there have been special times. The boating lifestyle was exactly what Jean-Luc and I imagined and more. I have met many people here at the marina who I am blessed to call friends. They look out for me and my boat, they include me in their lives, they listen, they offer advice and they know when to give me time alone.
This blog I have to dedicate to John who has offered to teach me to sail. One day I was peeling the Washington registration numbers off the boat and a gentleman came by and asked if I was the owner of the boat. I thought - here we go again another curious person coming by to see the boat where "the guy died on". Happily, I was wrong. John and his wife own a sailboat here at the Ladysmith Maritime Society and he is a Canadian Yacht Association sailing instructor. He offered his condolences and asked about my plans. When I told him he offered to help me become a sailor - no easy task. Not only am I a complete newbie but I'm carrying some additional baggage. But John is patient and persistent. His teaching style is great, he instills a confidence in me that I never knew I had. In between sailing days I sometimes wonder what the hell I'm thinking - I can't do this on my own. But when I talk to him he's so passionate about teaching people to sail, it's hard not to get excited about learning. I think maybe I can do this. Our first day out we did some exercises to get accustomed to how the boat handles under power, stopping and docking. We practiced on an empty dock but I chickened out when it came to parallel parking my little sailboat back on the visitiors dock. Today we continued to try and figure out why she doesn't behave when backing up - a challenge that is trying to stump John. We hoisted the sails even though there was very little wind. As we headed for home John asked if I was going to take her into the dock. Of course!! Yeah right, I only said yes because the boat behind me was out so I had more room to make a mistake. I managed to avoid hitting any other boat or the dock so I will call that a success. Thank you, John.
So we set a schedule for a few more days out and some theory classes. And if I do my homework I hope to have my Basic Cruising (day skipper) certificate.
To add to the sailing, I have also enrolled in a Diesel Engine Maintenance course. It is every Thursday for six weeks and teaches how to perform regular routine maintenance and how to troubleshoot problems. So far it seems like I will get some good knowledge and skills out of it.
So as hard as it is some days, I am doing my best to carry on. I have my set backs - like yesterday when even a sunny day couldn't lift my spirits. I don't beat myself up when I have these days - instead I let myself feel. It seems to work. And I am never really alone - Jean-Luc will always be with me to share in the special times and keep me compan
It has been a difficult two months but amidst the sadness there have been special times. The boating lifestyle was exactly what Jean-Luc and I imagined and more. I have met many people here at the marina who I am blessed to call friends. They look out for me and my boat, they include me in their lives, they listen, they offer advice and they know when to give me time alone.
This blog I have to dedicate to John who has offered to teach me to sail. One day I was peeling the Washington registration numbers off the boat and a gentleman came by and asked if I was the owner of the boat. I thought - here we go again another curious person coming by to see the boat where "the guy died on". Happily, I was wrong. John and his wife own a sailboat here at the Ladysmith Maritime Society and he is a Canadian Yacht Association sailing instructor. He offered his condolences and asked about my plans. When I told him he offered to help me become a sailor - no easy task. Not only am I a complete newbie but I'm carrying some additional baggage. But John is patient and persistent. His teaching style is great, he instills a confidence in me that I never knew I had. In between sailing days I sometimes wonder what the hell I'm thinking - I can't do this on my own. But when I talk to him he's so passionate about teaching people to sail, it's hard not to get excited about learning. I think maybe I can do this. Our first day out we did some exercises to get accustomed to how the boat handles under power, stopping and docking. We practiced on an empty dock but I chickened out when it came to parallel parking my little sailboat back on the visitiors dock. Today we continued to try and figure out why she doesn't behave when backing up - a challenge that is trying to stump John. We hoisted the sails even though there was very little wind. As we headed for home John asked if I was going to take her into the dock. Of course!! Yeah right, I only said yes because the boat behind me was out so I had more room to make a mistake. I managed to avoid hitting any other boat or the dock so I will call that a success. Thank you, John.
So we set a schedule for a few more days out and some theory classes. And if I do my homework I hope to have my Basic Cruising (day skipper) certificate.
To add to the sailing, I have also enrolled in a Diesel Engine Maintenance course. It is every Thursday for six weeks and teaches how to perform regular routine maintenance and how to troubleshoot problems. So far it seems like I will get some good knowledge and skills out of it.
So as hard as it is some days, I am doing my best to carry on. I have my set backs - like yesterday when even a sunny day couldn't lift my spirits. I don't beat myself up when I have these days - instead I let myself feel. It seems to work. And I am never really alone - Jean-Luc will always be with me to share in the special times and keep me compan