Sad.....
2002-01-25

Back in the mid 80's or so, when I was just seriously getting into sailing, we kept the boat we had then at a little low rent marina in a not so great section of town. It was all we could afford at the time. The facility was a piece of crap, but the price was right and the people friendly. The owner who could be a real piece of work always treated me OK, and I stayed there through five more boats. Some of the people I've met there have become some of my best friends.

One such couple was Tom and Diana. The just showed up one day with a semi-beat up San Juan 28. They were both older than most of our group, Tom wore hearing aids and had a bad heart. Diana wore bikinis on the boat until she realized she wasn't invisable. We still kid her about that. They were nice people. We even invited them to wedding #2 "The Event" :-)

Tom and Diana were well liked by all. Got involved in the local Yacht Club, ran the picnics and eventually got into the power structure. This is local politics at its' finest. Become a Yacht Club officer and you will piss off somebody. They did and got booted from office recently in a very messy situation. They didn't come to our New years party because some of the "other side" was going to be there too. Kind of sad.

They had just bought a new boat, a 34 Catalina. Tom had the big sailing adventure of his life bringing it back from the Hudson River. Diana was excited about how much bigger and more comfortable the new boat was. They hadn't sold the old one yet, but they were happy.

Two days ago, Tom and Diana were getting ready to visit Tom's sister in the hospital. A few minutes before they were to leave, Diana heard Tom yell her name. She ran into his room, just in time to have him die in her arms. Massive heart attack. 911 was called, but there was nothing that could be done.

The wake is going to be hard. What do you tell somebody that just lost thier life companion, best friend, love of their life?

Do me a favor, hug somebody you love today. You never know, what tomorrow will bring. Life can indeed be too short.

Previous - Next