Two ways of telling a story

This Monday, we had a bit of a surprise. Actually it was a shock.

Like all Mondays the WOWers marched themselves upstairs to where our gear is stored and Holy Cow ...  the life jackets were missing! So is the life ring and the first aid bag! OH, MY - all the twart bags too! I heard Chicken Little say, "The sky is falling!"  and all the little hens scattered. One went down to the boat, one went to the fuel dock to ask if they saw the theft. The stories were flying left and right - maybe it was this the fox or was it the wolf, in the pause I said, let me tell you about my stove pipe story it's just as wild.

Well, soon enough someone used the phone and found out the facts. Sure enough 'somebodies' got away with the boat before low tide. Here's how their story went:

A couple Sunday Sailors got the idea to put a meet up (here I am using concepts I barely understand)  on Facebook.  They invited people from the community who would like to experience rowing and sailing on Verite to come on down. They got a full boat and had a great Labor Day experience which halfway through included hot dogs, potato salad and eventually condiments.

Hearing of this some of the WOWers drove on down to the beach. It was there we shared our tea and goodies met the community members and heard the tales of the day.

 

Telling these two stories reminds me of a few things:

• So often when we search for truth it is possible for 2 very contrary ideas to sit right next to each other and still be true. It is our emotions that makes one story better or worse than the other or about right or wrong. 

• Life doesn't have to always be planned. It is possible to simply flow with it as it plays out.  

• And the gentle nudge - remember the rule of Life - all things are transitory. The shock of things not being as we expect them can be jarring. Having this boat, a part of our collective lives, is really transitory. It depends on so many things - maintenance, insurance, participation and money to name a few. Just like having a perfect last day of summer to row and sail and picnic on the beach. You just never know when the last hot dog is going to slip out of your tongs and into the sand. We just don't know. We can expand on this to think about those facing the threat of Dorian and those trying to find a new life in America and those just trying to raise a crop. We are reminded time and again to understand the rules of Life. Oh, man, we miss you Voski! The hard truth is rules are rules - Life is transitory.

• That is why it is important to break bread (even if it is a hot dog bun) and to celebrate each and every day. To remember to take the high road to where you are going, to have a honorable goal and keep the shared humanness in mind.