My father introduced me to sailing when I was very young. Some of my earliest memories are of sailing vacations on Long Island Sound. We sailed to a different port each night, sometimes for a week or more, to places like the Connecticut River, Fischer’s Island, and Shelter Island.
Sailing, and my father, taught me many things that have stayed with me to this day. Patience, for instance. Sailing is different from motor boating because the speed of the trip is dependent on the weather, which is mostly beyond our control.
I say mostly because sailing also taught me the importance of planning, and part of planning a sailing trip is watching for a conducive weather window.
And that leads to another important life lesson: flexibility and resilience. When the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse, you must adapt your plans accordingly. And if you can't make it to your original destination, refer to the first lesson.
Sailing, and my father, also instilled in me a love of nature. While other sailors headed for big marinas each night and dinner out at a restaurant, we usually looked for a quiet cove to drop the anchor and prepare a simple home-cooked meal. Instead of bright marina lights, we slept under the stars to the peaceful sounds of nature's rhapsody.
Thanks,
Dad. Happy Father's Day. I hope you are still enjoying the kind of peace that you
taught me to enjoy in sailing.
