I wasn't sure what to expect at the boat launch party I attended on Friday. Sure, I knew there would be the ceremonial bottle breakage, but other than that, I was stumped.
It was actually as moving as any wedding I've ever been to. (Really!) Standing next to the dry boat the owner told its story. He bought the boat, a large sailboat, in Seattle. It was 30 years old and terribly neglected. He had it sent down to the Berkeley Marina where he and his closest friends spent 3 months restoring it. It was an act of love--for the boat, himself, and the sea. The story was touching--so much pride and humility. One of his friends, a pastor, performed a blessing for the name change, and read biblical verses to invite God to watch over and protect the vessel and its future occupants. As the boat was being lowered in the water I had a sense that their God was kindly seeing the boat off into its new life.
I thought about Moral Turpitude and her new business venture. I thought about me and my life. I thought about 16 year olds getting their first car, people taking their first international trips, people falling in love, and babies taking their first steps.
When the bottle was finally broken across the bow, it blessed us all.
3 comments:
What did he name it?
True North.
Hmm. I wrote my "Due north" post just prior to going to the ceremony. What a coincidence.
Screw all that, what did you wear?? ;-)
(You started it, a couple of posts ago)
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