Hi Lee,
I love your emails. You have such a way with words (concise and very true). I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of posting your email on my blog.

I too seem to have trouble getting my head around this adventure. What seemed to be such a great idea seven years ago is already a reality today. I'm wondering if I truly disliked my teenager kids back then (doesn't everyone) to have conjured up such a thought to leave the wonderful, normal lifestyle that our family was able to attain and enjoy.

Today I must remind myself that both Thera and Mike have also begun to follow their own paths and create a life for themselves (as they should), never-the-less I do and will miss them (and Benson) dearly. I have been told, countless times, that there is no real good time to go. I leave behind Steve's dad (whom just turned 85) and Betty, my recently widowed mum, our every changing and growing nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers, many good friends and wonderful people I have met through work and community. My life. . .previous life, has ended up on the free table at Dutchman's Cove Marina... along with Value Village and a variety of other places in the city (like schools and charity events). . . but it's all just stuff. I still have the memories.

Memories...during the past year I managed to scan each and every photo that I had taken over the last 31 years and these photos are now on an 8 Gig memory stick, now lying in a safety deposit box. I have a second copy on my computer. The original photos are in a box somewhere in Petra and Colin's basement, as are all the rest of the things from our life that Mike didn't want for his new condo. Kim and Marius are storing a few pieces of clothing for us (just in-case we have to come back during the winter months) and my bike and golf clubs have been lent to Heather (Mike's girlfriend). Someone might as well get the use out of them. Isn't it funny what you keep!

The unfortunate reality, now that I'm homeless, is that I don't have a home that ours kids can come home too, and the lack of contact with them is unsettling. I can rarely keep in contact with Thera (since the use of Skype is impossible surrounded by peering passer-by's) and I truly treasure the occasional phone call from Mike. Another reality is that I feel I have to justify the expense of such luxuries as a telephone or the internet and using a laundry mat has its own set of challenges too.

Throw in a menopausal woman and a newly retired male; put them in a confined box and take away a lot of their retirement income and you've got the picture! Such is the situation and that's why we are in plan c-d or is that plan x-y.

Here's another reality check...I am not the type of person who thinks that the grass is greener on the other side. In fact, I believe in my heart that Canada is truly a beautiful and privileged place to be. Will I enjoy this adventure?

I also have to address my fears, the biggest being that if something should happen to Steve while "out there", how will I cope? It has become quite obvious to me that I do not have all the skills and knowledge necessary to bring this baby home alone. I know very little about the troubleshooting of diesel engines. Funny, I know I can't do it all and yet I expect Steve to be able too. I realize that it's impossible to know everything there is to know, but it sure makes me feel so much better to be able to say that I can do everything. As a matter of fact, we both hope that we have the ability to navigate, trim the sails and do night watches, cope with the swelling seas and figure out the tides. One thing Steve does not have to worry about is the fear of being bored. There is so much for him to do (just keeping the boat in good working order), but he also can relax so easily. This is a skill I will have to learn. I hope I find some purpose as I travel down this new path. I hope it not only is a challenge (as it has bee so far) but also that I find peace and happiness while we embark on this voyage.

Anyway, we are going. You should see the grin on Steve's face when he speaks of his plans the sail south. I know how much Steve loathed going to work (especially the last 6 years) and I look forward to seeing him snorkel to his hearts content...and hope that he can even catch some lobster for dinner.

So here's hoping we sail your way. That's why I want to go. I want to visit all the places where family and friends reside. I hope to be able to stay long and enjoy the life that they have to share. If I can only see these places from a distance (from the water) and not embellish in the culture and surrounding nature of the place; then I will be a very disappointed sailing partner. Hum, maybe that's why I've kept my skis, bike and golf clubs. Everyone knows that Vancouver is the place where one can enjoy all of that. So, keep those extra bedrooms.
Please keep me informed as to what you and your three "young adults" are up too. Love to all.