First you must understand that I am a terminal hopeless romantic...since I was maybe 24 I have dreamt of sailing all seven oceans on my own boat...that was 35 years ago. In 1999 my wife and mother to four daughters passed away suddenly..my dreams of sailing off with her were gone. I was lost as to any future plans. I was afraid of growing old alone, and yet I was only 49.
My dream was reignited by a young woman I met. I found her exciting, inspiring, full of energy and love. During our time together she gave me a book written by Tom Robbins entitled, "Jitterbug Perfume". The main character in the book is a mythical King called Alobar, who's love vanished into the afterworld after taking a secret potion. Alobar searched for youthful exuberance and immortality on this earth for 1000 years in a quest to be reunited with his lover Kudra.
I bought my boat, my dream, and named her Alobar.
As the years have gone by I am grateful to have experienced the love I shared with my wife. I am also grateful to the young woman who woke me from my grief and inspired me to follow my dream at a time I desperately needed to learn to live life again.
The year I bought her I invited the lady who inspired me back to Marblehead to sail Alobar, I am glad she came to sail her and understand the influence she had on my life .Life is too short and too fragile to waste.
