AN ANGEL SHOWED UP
In a Chevy Van
No matter what you believe, someone’s looking out for us. This angel is even-tempered, down-to-earth, and a skilled conversationalist who, after years in the Virgin Islands, is spending the winter near us with extra time on his hands. Wait, what?! Right. Suddenly, during the darkest part of winter, shining examples of humanity are working with us on STEADFAST, improving my faith and bringing old-fashioned respect to our unique project. Brian Duff, Managing Director of BVI Yacht Sales, is an entrepreneur, boat rigger and passionate sailor with a deep appreciation for his roots.
Brian’s well-rounded maritime education started three decades ago when he was hired and mentored by none other than my Sailor at Steve’s Yacht Repair in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. These men have lived on boats for more of their lives than they haven’t lived on boats, and the knowledge, passion, and connection shows.
At this juncture you probably need a little background. Steve’s family owned and operated dairy farms in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and were members of the local Yacht Club, back when yacht clubs didn’t have five-digit annual purchase requirements. When he was seven, they moved on to a 30’ wooden vessel named DOVE and sailed to the Caribbean. That’s quite a departure! They never returned, thereafter spending winters in clear tropical waters and summers on the Chesapeake Bay. Smart folks with a sense of adventure.
Living aboard (cruising) is where Steve’s vast boat experience began; he didn’t do chores like mowing the lawn. He varnished teak toe rails, polished stainless, or scrubbed bottoms….among other things. Fifteen years later he owned a boat repair business and hired then-teenage Brian, who showed up this month in a super-cool, road-tripping, fully-outfitted, solar-panels-on-top 1992 Chevy van. I haven’t spotted his wings yet, but they’re there. Not as sure about the halo….it might be tilted to one side or the other, but I believe he’s got one.
Shortly thereafter the temperatures plummeted but our spirits still rose. If you want integrity and knowledge in a Yacht Broker, look him up; there aren’t many out there that would volunteer to work on a wooden boat during a northern winter, regardless of the payback. That’s an understatement and this is not an advertisement. Brian has earned the respect he garners.
Within days, another angel showed up, saw the project, and volunteered(!). “I’ll even do the grunt work,” he told me that first day. “Oh no,” I said, “that’s my job.” He, too, is even tempered, respectful, in possession of a dry sense of humor, a certification in accounting (CPA, retired hospital CFO, managed a billion) and endless patience. Marty wants to see things he has not seen. Why would we say no? His mode of transportation is far more conventional, (a pickup) and he, too, was a little underdressed the first couple of days. That northwest wind can reach gale force across the ice and chills you to the bone; SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE that way can make for a long day.
“This isn’t building houses, this is building furniture,” Marty told me after the first day of remarkably precise, time consuming measurements and processes. It’s an apt comparison. Wooden boat building on this level of detail is art.
“We really appreciate you,” I told him, peering up, amazed that he has patiently assisted and watched through all these cold days. “I’m learning a lot,” he shrugged, not seeming to understand how extraordinary his unpaid presence is. I don’t think he can fold his wings under that hooded Loyola sweatshirt, but they must be somewhere.
This is what truly good humans are really about. Someone you helped and guided helps you in return because it’s the right thing to do.
You never know what form angels may take; they are bound to surprise you, so keep your options and your mind wide open. In my mind they are both real and symbolic. Sometimes they stand on ice for hours at a time, absorbing old methods that are new to them, taking direction, working through ideas, and raking sawdust. Sometimes they stand on your shoulder and give directions themselves. This project is a rare opportunity that will become even more rare with the decay of wooden boats and those who love them, so the more the merrier.
We are moving forward more easily, and more at ease, than we would have been without these assists. It may be windy out there, but we are the ones blown away and eternally grateful. Someone is most certainly looking out for us.
~J
What do you believe?
Last week I wrote about MODERN LEARNING. If you’re following my voyage to a Captain’s license, I have not received the final exam results. I did toss a quarter into the harbor for good luck, but then was reminded that was only for fishing…..so stay tuned and thanks to many of you for the advanced congratulations!
I’ve gained more subscribers in the last two weeks than any time period prior, so welcome to those new jousters! You know what to do.
These two men are indeed angels. Self-less and caring too. Good people attract good people. 😇
That hull is - and is going to be - beautiful! And gosh, there are some fantastic people in the world.