MEMORIES FROM THE SEA
Have you ever sailed the Seas? Have you seen her majesty?
Have you ever seen her Angry? Have you ever seen her fury?
Some of the happiest times of my life were when I was able to go to sea with my Daddy, to be able to watch a Sailor in his world and for a brief moment in time, be a part of something that to me was magical and wonderful even though to him and his crews, it was everyday mundane chores and routines.
I think that the trip that I made with Daddy on the Schooner was perhaps the most wonderful time in my life. The voyage was magical, it was wonderful and it was terrifying.
Daddy taught me how to splice rope to make ladders, he taught me how to mend a torn sail, he taught me to love and respect the Sea and he taught me that the crew we men of honor and courage and valor, he taught me that they were Sailors.
To stand on deck and feel the little ship as she sliced thru the blue waters, to feel the gentle roll and she slipped thru the waves, if I close my eyes, I can still see the sails as they billow out in the trade winds, I can hear the creak of the rigging and the hull planks. I can still smell the creosote that coated her hull.
I learned that my Daddy was a man of many, many talents and who had friends in many, many places and of many occupations. I watched as he battled a storm alone, his crew and me, in immersion suits and life vests and he alone on deck at the wheel wearing his Oil Skins.
I watched and prayed as this Indian from Arizona battled Neptune and won and brought our little ship thru with only torn sails and some top mast rigging damage when other ships much larger than us were lost.
I watched as he sailed our little boat thru those angry waters of the Straights of Magellan and around Cape Horn. I've already told you of the "nest" that Daddy made for me in the ratlines and how I used to just sit in there and watch and dream the dreams of little girls.
I remember when we put into Valparaiso after the storm to repair our damage and to give the crew some rest. When the Officials came onboard to clear our little ship they were anxious to hear our story for the word had already spread ahead of us of our ordeal. They were so gracious to Daddy and to his little girl. After the formalities were over with, we were asked to the Home of the Minister of Transport for Dinner. He had never met my Father but had heard much of him from many people because Daddy had sailed in and out of Valparaiso many, many times.
I cannot tell you the impression that was made on a young woman who was made to feel that she was a princess by everyone she came into contact with; So many, many wonderful women who opened up their hearts and homes to me and who helped Momma teach me how to be a lady; so many, many wonderful memories.
I ramble and babble, forgive me but its hard not to sometimes. If I bore anyone with my ramblings, please tell me.
For Eileen Breedlove