The sun sets on another day…
It’s a little bit before sunset, but I know it will be beautiful now. The world is a better place because of all the excitement that it can give us, and all the wonder that it shows.
Today I visited the wonderful Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was a fantastic visit and I enjoyed interacting with people and seeing a spectacle of such beauty. There are few things that are stunning as this area and the picture I have posted does not do it justice.
As we were leaving we stopped by an area and took a few pictures and ran into four young people. I say young people but Jeff, Jacob, Taylor, and Carly we’re probably much older than I give them credit for. It sucks getting older and realizing that everyone looks like they’re 12 even when they could be in their thirties. For the moment I’m just hoping I got their names right. It was windy and noisy but I can be hopeful, and even if I’m wrong the story stands.
I was very impressed with the story I was told about sailing on Lake Michigan. It was apparently very close to where we were a long time ago and they had engine problems on a large sailboat. Rather than wait for a part that could take a considerable time to get they pushed on and ran into weather.
Running into weather on Lake Michigan can only be described as “oops”. Waves on Lake Michigan don’t really have a height restriction and I have seen 15 and 20 ft swells personally. The young man told the story of being out on the lake and limping towards port as he lost a sail and was unable to gain any ground. His cries for help went unanswered, as the tow boats would not take a chance in the rough weather. He requested help from the Coast Guard as waves smashed in on him and he tried to control the sailboat and stay afloat.
The Coast Guard at the nearest port did not have a boat big enough to withstand the weather and another had to be dispatched from a considerable distance away. He fought through the night and stayed afloat by some miracle, probably by good sailing. He fought the storm hard, and during the time was concerned that he would have to swim to shore with his father making sure they were safe.
The next morning a large Coast Guard Cutter came across the horizon and threw him a line, towing him into Harbor. As they made their way he said it was still difficult as the aircraft cable line in front of him disappeared in each wave and he could not see the large ship before him and was instead surrounded by water.
As I listened I could tell that this was a harrowing experience that he overcame and somewhere in the middle he grew and became something a little more. He was prepared to do whatever it took to keep people safe and succeeded. What was fantastic was that as I watched him I saw his lovely girlfriend beam with pride as he told his story and it was assured that not only did she feel deeply for him, she cared.
We all face difficulty sometimes. If we didn’t there would be no measure of any of us. Life cannot be measured by how we handle the sublime or the easy, we are measured on how we face the storm and come out on top. this group faced a storm and overcame it. We should all try to do the same.
So as the sun sets on another day, I hope they’re boating Adventures find fair seas all the time, but I know that this young couple and their family and friends will be safe because someone was willing to do enough and more. Let’s all take the time to remember that people are important and it’s not a bad thing to help. Keep finding an awesome path, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and change the world…