Starting off the New Year

Once again, there were New Year’s festivities at Staniel Cay.  The annual Pirate Party brought out the motley assortment of pirates and wenches..

 

Dawn and Brooks

Connie and Croc (Dundee)

And who are those wild girls dancing on the bar??

The local community throws a free fish-fry/barbecue with open bar for everyone!

Chris, Connie and Croc

Sarah, Chris and Paul

And then, of course, there is the Staniel Cay Yacht Club regatta.  All are welcome, and T-shirts and prizes for everyone.

On a more sobering note, a week earlier a Haitian sloop had gone aground miles away on the banks.  The 130 people aboard fared poorly after spending many hours in the water, and suffering from dehydration and exposure.  There were some fatalities, and the local Staniel Cayans fed the remaining desperate Haitians before the government shipped them back to Haiti.  This type of occurrence is all too frequent in these waters.  A sharp reminder of the plight of this poor country.

Amazing that so many people were crammed on this vessel

Note the sail sewn from scraps and assorted rigging

The last event is the cruiser’s regatta; any sailboat in the harbor is encouraged to race.  

Crewing Different Drummer

 Our man Pete was on the race committee this year, kudos, for a job well done!

Debi & Bruce accepting award from Brooks

Awards, speeches and Bahamian barbecue.

Quite a kick-off to a great year!

New Year Reflections

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A beautiful day begins in Staniel Cay, Bahamas.  This day which marks the ending of a span of time, a span of life, which we (humans) have somewhat arbitrarily designated in the specific increments, which allow us to measure our activities, our progress… our lives.

 I continue to feel blessed, and try to suppress the feelings of guilt, which often arise at my continued good fortune.  The year 2013 has been a mixed one.  There have been losses and illness.  Most notably, I will forever miss my beloved brother who left us all with so much left to give, and so very much given and received from him.  Paul was the ultimate giver, a provider to all he knew of his talents, abilities and enthusiasm.  His family is greatly enriched for the presence of his generosity in their lives.

Even heartbreak brings fortune, as I found when spending time in the bosom of Paul’s family and welcoming the special and lasting ties that are bound from experiencing shared loss.  

My fabulous parents continue to be an inspiration and a guide to living this life with honor, compassion and acceptance.  Is it the luck of birth, to enter into a loving, supportive and wise family?  My fervent wish, if I could only have one, is that every being be raised with these loving traits, and most of all acceptances of our differences. 

Could we learn then, to get along, and end the animosity, fear and radical reactions of violence?  This year was filled with seemingly random acts of obscene gun violence, including very young and innocent victims.  In the political power plays, and fear of losing perceived power, the gun-restriction debate continues.  What will it take to curb this senseless attack on society?  In 2014, let’s think outside the box, and find a way to support mental illness, and keep the populace safe from easy access to deadly force.

2013 had many joyous personal moments.  Family from both sides gathered at our home for plenty of festive talk and food preparation and sharing.  Weddings were celebrated, and we marveled at births, and growing families.

Friends, both new and old are an immensely important part of our lives, enriching, sharing and giving us love and laughter.  Our cup overflows with the rich and loving relationships we have formed as we continue on our life’s voyage.  Yes, we are extremely thankful to be right here, right now and happily look forward to the year to come.

Bless you all!