As 2023 winds down, I can't help but think back to calmer times; times when fun was always just around the corner. I have a memory to share with you; I hope it makes you smile. The date was Thursday, December 31, 2015. The location was in San Carlos where we were living aboard and preparing SV Shannon's Spirit for the upcoming cruising season. The memory goes like this:
'OK, so there I was, minding my own business...tending to the folks at my end of the table and enjoying the company and the ambiance. It was today, New Years Eve, and we'd gone to La Palapa Griegga for dinner and entertainment. The show turned out to be music (by Mark et al) and while the meal was delicious (Kathy had a rack of lamb and I had steak and lobster and we shared) the music included fabulous selections of many of my favorites... toe tapping, thigh slapping.. great music!
And, there I was... keeping up with the base on my legs and the table (and having a margarita or two :-) and wondering how it would go if I asked Kathy to dance (being Mexico and all, we try to behave), when Mark called for a "mosh'. Not knowing what a mosh was, I watched and learned quickly. Lots of folks stood up at their tables and began to gyrate... and so I did too; I love to dance. Then Kathy joined me and slowly the rest of our table moshed on in.
That's when I noticed a gentleman... somewhat older than myself, hanging on to his white plastic chair and letting his feet begin to move. Now, he could have been Fred Astaire or some other dancer... but me... I'm just me and I sidled over and offered him my hand. Well, didn't he take it and didn't the two of us just dance our toes off for the rest of the song. We jived and we did other steps and he was a great lead... (yes, I can follow :-) It was great!
The evening (spent mostly at Kathy's side) was terrific. But I wanted to tell you about the dance... because, much like the ferry trip from La Paz to Pichilingue (another story I'll share later) I experienced something outside my norm; a moment to remember.
I hope that each of you have experienced such a moment this year... and Kathy and I, and [then] Princess Sophie [now] wee Maddie, wish each and every one of you the blessing of peace in your life and the opportunity to enjoy dances with strangers. Reach out a hand ...in [2024]. Have a great one! CJ'
(borrowed from the blog of SV Shannon: www.svshannon.blogspot.com )
