T. Bone is a sailor. Well, almost. He’s soon to complete his level 1 sailing course. A course I signed him up for despite his initial low level of enthusiasm for the sport. I am nothing if not determined to raise a Renaissance man. On this cool, crisp morning I stood on the shore watching him make his way from the harbor to the open water, and it struck me how intensely happy I felt watching him glide across the water. He’s learning the rugged nuances of it all and speaking the language of sailing foreign to so many. Trim, tack, keel, starboard, leeward, boom, jib, stern, spinnaker, halyard…it’s as mesmerizing as any romance language to my ear. Regatta is one of my favorite words. He proudly took second in a race yesterday, and fantasized about sailing clear across our inland sea one day.
Next summer Miss Bit wants to take up sailing too, but this morning she was more interested in the stray marina cat. We made up stories about his life on the docks and decided that his was a good one. I think she’ll be a good sailor. She so loves the water.
I love the water too, yet I never learned to sail. I wish I had. My single attempt with a patient, brave friend resulted in a capsized boat, a few laughs, soggy sneakers and a slightly bruised ego. So yes these days down at the docks are a result of my living vicariously. Nudging my children to try and do what I couldn’t or wouldn’t. I get a little self satisfied when it works out the way I had hoped and dreamed.
All day I have been remembering the first time I ever sailed. I was a teenager and a passenger on a big, beautiful boat. It was a gorgeous day and I was standing alone at the bow letting the wind whip hard and cool against my face. The spray from the chilly Lake Michigan waters was oddly salty and sobering. The words from Christopher Cross’s top 40 hit were resonating with me that day as they filled the air. They're back today filling my memory and all day I have been smiling as I sing along.
Sailing.
Well, it's not far down to paradise
At least it's not for me
And if the wind is right
You can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me
It's not far to never-never land
No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right
You can find the joy of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me
Sailing takes me away
To where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free
