DAY 298

Dear Damian, 

It's been a while since I wrote you last. Sorry for the long delay. Please don't interpret this to mean that I've moved on or don't think about you that much any more. This is definitely not the case. While I have been busy – no excuse – I just kind of ran out of steam and needed a break. That said, Andrea has cracked the whip and told both me and your mom to get writing again...So here I am. 

Don't hate me (us), but we bought a big boat. It's a 1988 Cal 28-2. She went into the water yesterday. I spent that previous 9 days working my butt off getting ready for yesterday's launch – lots of buffing, polishing, and waxing. She looks really good between the waterline and the rub rail. Now that she's in the water, I'll start working to deep clean the topsides. We haven't gone sailing yet as I still need to tune the rig, get the boom attached, and string all the running rigging. That will happen sometime next week. 

Your mom is obviously excited to have a big boat again. She hasn't been sailing since we went to Grenada in 2018. I keep referring the boat as "hers". She says it's ours, but then I remind her that she kept telling the two of us that the next boat we bought was "hers", so there you go. Mom now has her own boat. I'm just there to maintain it. 

I know that you were really disappointed when we walked away from the Pacific Seacraft 31 in 2021, but it felt like the right call in the moment. It was a big financial commitment that felt too risky to take on given the instability with ETI at the time. If it's any consolation, we named the Cal "Firefly" in your honor. We even had the decal made so it looked like the one that was on your Opti. I told mom yesterday that I'm thinking of co-opting 19983 as the sail number. Most people won't understand the significance, but I know that you will. Hope this puts a smile on your face. 


When your mom and I go out on Firefly for our first sail, we will definitely be thinking of you. I'm sure that won't end any time soon, if ever. We think of you often and miss you always. I would gladly give up sailing for the rest of my life to have you back, if even for just a few minutes. 

Tomorrow, mom and I are flying to Rhode Island. We are going to spend a few days in Newport. If all goes according to plan, I'm going to eat a LOT of clams. 

I miss you with all my heart. I hope your journey, wherever you are, is epic. 

Love, 

Dad

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