Looking back on a dream fulfilled

Mirador gracefully at anchor.

As I slowly scroll through a thousand pictures, each one takes me back to a precious moment in time. I relive the memories like the essence of a recent meal on my palette. For two years I island hopped through the the Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos, and the Caribbean with my wife and my two youngest children. The reward of perseverance, and a little help from many friends. I can't say how old the dream was, but I can say that I started working on it in 1997 when I purchased Mirador, our 41' sailboat. She needed everything, and then some. I worked on it for 15 years, and there were many times when my dream grew hazy. There were many times I doubted myself, or the path I had taken. There were times that I blamed my wife for her high standards (I am referring to the boat, not to me). There were many times that I thought that I could never meet her standards, and would just fail trying.  As I look back, I thank her because it made our adventure so much more comfortable. Mirador is equipped to provide all the comforts of home, no matter how far you stray off the beaten path.

Derrick, Hadrian, and Eva approaching Saba Rock.

Eva couldn't be more at home.

Marie on a secluded beach.

Onward to paradise!

As for the kids, I just know that they'll will look back on our adventure, a decade from now, and wish that they had realized just how spectacular it was. Their next "great adventure" will be funded from their own pockets, and they will look back, and say "Wow, how did my parents pull that off?"  I must say we did set the bar high.

The big question is, "Was it worth it?" The answer is, "Yes, yes, a hundred times yes!" I feel so satisfied with what I have been able to accomplish in my life, and this trip has been my crowning jewel. I'm not saying that it would impress a person like Mr. Trump. His kind wouldn't understand me, just as I don't understand them. I'm sorry, does that sound derogatory?

If I could share a bit of advice it would be:  Don't allow your life to become an aimless routine.  Don't allow people that are lost to lead the way for you. Don't allow your dreams to be dismissed with a mere "It's not normal." You don't have to go sailing, but you do need to pursue your own dreams, and live with enthusiasm. If you don't wake up in the morning excited about the day ahead, you may need to take a closer look at your life, and make some adjustments. 

The only limit is you!