Some Thoughts on Sailing

There are few things as beautiful as the sun peeking out from behind a sail. 

I don’t get sea sick (at least not above board on sunny days with calm seas). I love the rush that comes with a strong wind. I don't get scared like I thought I would and have a lot of faith in our little boat. 

We’ve met some really great sailors and watched them at work. They keep clear, focused and calm minds. They react swiftly and intuitively, they make it look easy, and they love every gust and wave. 

Sailing will make you like the wind. Even if you once despised it as much as I did (which is a lot). Even on days when you don’t set sail. Rather than an obnoxious brute, you will see the wind as the source of a great sail for somebody somewhere. 

Sailing will make you feel connected to the power of the natural world. It will make you feel like you are a part of something that will go on forever. 

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Also, and not really related to sailing, your baby will be fine. When your first big sail lasts twelve hours she will delight in an entire day spent with her grandparents. She’ll eat her meals and have her naps and will barely look up when you return all salty and sunburnt. This will make you a little bit sad. But you’ll soon realize that these are only the first of many steps that she will take out into the world. And that your job is not to keep her close (despite your empty arms and heavy heart) but to always always let her go.