Let me start by saying that there have been some tragic accidents on the water in recent days..this may have been in the back of my mind today..who knows. It was a gorgeous day out on the Bay and I knew that one of my brothers and his sweet lady friend would be out on his boat. I did not worry in the least as this guy is one of the most sea-savvy boaters ever. He knows to watch the weather for any signs of disturbance and will steer his boat homeward if the scene warrants. He also has the vast knowledge of the workings of a boat of any size or shape. This is what he does for a living..repairs the motors and refurbishes watercraft. I have had many, many people tell me that if you want your boat fixed right..take it to him. That added to his immense commonsense should and always has pulled him through in every situation. It was my lapse that caused me worry..not his.
Early today, the Game Warden came up the lane and questioned my older brother as to the whereabouts of the younger brother. It seems that they had found a boat abandoned in the Bay and when they checked the registration it was in our brother's name. I was immediately called to see if I had heard from him...I had not. Emotions ran wild and overtook the knowledge that he could handle himself in any given situation. The Game Wardens (who all knew him) were all keeping watch..they were remarkable in their duties. After many phone calls to his friends, my older brother and Son took to the water..heading for the abandoned boat. Confusion was in our minds..this should not be happening. I stayed behind and fretted even though I knew fully that my brother's "sea-smarts" could put the legendary "Jack Sparrow's" to shame.
In the end, this had a happy ending. One phone call was returned..it was from one of the friends on the water with him. They were safe..just as we all should have known. They were merely enjoying a day on the water unaware of the scene that was unfolding on the Bay..they were much further out on the Gulf. It seems that the boat in question had been sold long before and had just never been registered in the new owner's name. It was still registered as my brother's boat..therein the cause of the confusion. The cell phone on board..not his. There was good reason for them to not answer their phones..they and their friends were in water, the phones were staying dry in the boat. Still..this was what seemed like a lifetime of stress..of unknowing..of stomach-wrenching turmoil. None of which should have ever occurred if I had only listened to my head and not my emotions. This man could handle himself.
The lesson learned, though..leave a list of telephone numbers even if for no other reason than to reassure others (especially worrisome little sisters!). We had both of their numbers but no one else's. Lesson two learned..try to keep a cool head about yourself. My older brother was amazing. He handled everything as it should have been done. He did not rush into things headlong without exhausting all other means of locating the boaters. Lesson three..be ever thankful for friends. We have some of the most caring friends in the world. They all offered to do anything and everything to be of assistance.
All I can say about today's events..I am so blessed to live next to these two brothers. When Hubby is not here to handle stressful problems, I am quite sure that if the need ever should arise that I need help..these two would be here. (And would have the knowledge, commonsense and levelheadedness to solve whatever the problem may be!) Brothers are awesome!..little sisters just tend to worry.
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