The last few days have been very trying for me after hearing of a family friend who did not return from an off shore fishing trip. My son grew up with him and his brother and in a way he was one of my own. I think it really worked me over because my son surfs giant Hawaiian waves and I can't tell you how hard it is to block the fear and mental images of the dangers of it out of my head.
When I realized we had severe thunder storms move through the night he didn't return that was scary and then the next day when his boat was found in gear but out of gas and him no where in site - my heart just sunk. Oddly it was a call from Hawaii that alerted me to what had just happened a few miles away.
Last night I never slept - nor today just fighting those thoughts. Every time my dog had to go out it was so extremely cold out - wind chill factor in the thirties - I just couldn't stop thinking about what if he were still out there and of course - what if he weren't.
His brother - who might as well have been his twin as they were so close must be devastated as must be the rest of his family. I am just writing here because I know we have some boaters and fellow pirates who might be interested.
Of course they suspect he did not have his life jacket on - but he had caught two wahoo and a dolphin that they had found on the boat. I just have to think he left us doing what he loved most. No one will ever know why he went over board - the storm might have had something to do with it or it could have just been he got caught off balance by something he caught.
It is very sad and if you feel like thinking of him and all who have been lost at sea over time - I know I would appreciate it as would he and his family.
God Bless him and his family and friends - we need prayers right now.
All day I kept remembering this to give me peace so I will pass it on in his memory:
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift.
I don't know who said it but its a nice thought.
Heres the google links to the story.
http://www.google.com/search?rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&um=1&q=missing+boater+st+augustine&sa=N&tab=nw
