A Tough One

This weekend was great! Well, I guess I should mention first off, my "weekend" was actually Friday and Saturday, not Saturday and Sunday. That being said, Sunday has been pretty good too. I digress...

Thursday my buddy Craig (aka "Bob") came down to my house, and then we took my sailboat up to Muskegon. My dad has his sail boat up there, his is much larger than mine, which has a cabin that we are able to sleep in.

We tried taking my boat out on the lake, however the winds were too strong and we were forced back to the docks. On Friday, we spent the day at the store buying new parts to upgrade my boat. After the store, we went back to the marina and installed the new parts. Later we repeated this process.

In the evening, my wife and Craig's wife joined us. We had a good time sitting around the dock and talking. We went out to dinner at a restaurant on the beach, then returned for more fun at the dock. It was quite relaxing.

Saturday brought more wind, however my dad captained his boat out to Lake Michigan. We encountered swells that were between 3 feet and up to 6 1/2 feet. It was a bit rowdy at times, but we came out on top. God was with us even in the face of danger. One of the lines that holds the mast up, came undone. We took quick actions and got it bolted back down, and sailed back to the smaller inland lake, Lake Muskegon.

We went out for lunch, and then Amy (my wife) and I attempted to take my boat out. After some motor problems got fixed (so we thought) we took it out. The water was still a bit choppy with 1-2 foot waves, and very strong winds. We motored up and down the channel of the marina at first to make sure the motor worked. On the second trip, the motor died. The wind started to push us into very shallow water where old docks used to be. It is quite a hazardous are because the wood posts are still in the water, but they are below the water, so you cant see them. Well we quickly set sail, even in the hazardous winds, and sailed the boat back into the marina, and were able to dock it, under sails alone.

Since we were leaving Muskegon Saturday, I decided that we might as well load the boat back on the trailer, however the motor was being evil. As the wind was coming out of the North, and the opening of the marina was facing North, the win d kept slamming my boat against the dock. It turns out that God decided to let my motor start just long enough to get the boat over to the boat launch. It set our nerves on edge, but we made it in one piece.

As I look back over the weekend, one thing sticks out. My mom wasnt with us, but it felt like she was. On different occasions, I remember hearing things she has said, in the back of my mind, almost as if she was right there with me. I can almost hear you, the reader, saying "She was with you". To which I reply: No, she wasnt, but her memory was.

**Caution: Rant ahead**
It always irretates me when someone says something like that. Really, how could anyone say that? Think about it what your saying. If you have ever lost someone close to you, you might understand what I am talking about. I am sure that whoever says it understands that they dont mean it literally, however they obviously dont see it from the "receivers" perspective. Do you think that they want to hear that? Do you think it helps? maybe some, but not everyone, so IF your going to say that, you had better know the person closely enough to know that they are okay with YOU saying it. Dont take it lightly, I know I dont. Just cause it might not bother you, or might sound comforting to you, doesn't mean it does to the rest of the world.
**End Rant**

I missed her this weekend. She would have loved having me, my wife, and our friends with us. She enjoyed being with friends, and loved being at the boat. Her words of encouragement weren't over powering, and were never hollow. Her laughter was inviting, and I missed her this weekend. It was a great weekend. I had a blast. Its difficult at times like this, when you have a great weekend, but I get home and all these emotions start flying in. Moments like this remind me that she is in heaven, and I will be graced with her presence again.

I am thankful.