Giving My Dream A Voice

It is here that I intend to, as the title says: Give my dream a voice. I hope to put my thoughts into words, those words into plans, execute the plans and LIVE instead of dream. Live my dream. There are those that never leave the couch, those that refuse to dream big, those that die wanting more and those that feel as though they have no right to dream. I do not want to be any of those people. Right now, as a friend so aptly put it, there is nothing sadder than a pirate in port. Tis the sadness that motivates me into action.

The water has called to me all of my life. No matter where I was, if there was water nearby, that is where I wanted to be. I would look up marinas, find a way to go to the beach, see the harbor, visit the ships not teethered to shore, anything to see the water, be close to the water, make that connection, although brief.

I have been a sailor all my life, and possibly a prior one or two. That is all I have dreamed of. Owning a sailboat and sailing wherever the winds took me. Based upon my upbringing, my dream was set to begin sometime in my late 50's or early 60's or later. My conversation was something to this effect: "Once I retire, I'll learn how to sail, I'll buy a sailboat and I'll sailing off into the sunset."

My father died at the early age of 44. Some years ago when I was approaching 40, it dawned on me, as it does all children that lose a parent at a young age, that I may not make it to my retirement or even to live as long as my father. So why have I set aside the one thing I long to do until I am old and retired? Why don't I look into it now? "I couldn't possibly buy a boat. They are much too expensive and on top of that, I don't know how to sail." This was my new conversation.
I heard that a sailboat race, a regatta, as they are called, was taking place on Grapevine Lake in Grapevine, Texas, just west of Dallas. I found out they need volunteers, so I volunteered. I got to be around the water and sailboats. I was in heaven. I had to endure some interesting comments given the race was sponsored by Hooters. I hadn't noticed any of them hooters...well, only if they were blocking the view of the boats. :O)

I introduced myself to some of the sailors and managed to get to ride in one as it motored back to a slip. I was ecstatic. As I walked back to my car, I passed by a bulletin board. I saw boats for sale. 100k, 50k, 20k, 16k, 3k. Hmmm what does a three thousand dollar boat look like?