Some of my fondest memories are from childhood. Not surprising, my family time over the years has provided me with some of my best stories. For instance, I vividly remember my father indulging me in my love of jumping into the pool, at the ripe old age of 5. (And by “love of jumping,” I really mean “my incessant desire to jump.”) My father is also the reason why I love boating. A New York city slicker by birth, he discovered fishing charters in his 30s and, excuse the pun, was instantly hooked. When I was about 8 or 9 years old, he took me on one of those day charters, out off Long Island’s East End, and I, too, was hooked. Maybe it was because I literally hooked a fish on one of my first attempts. Regardless, I had so much fun that I couldn’t wait to go out again.
And we did, at first on charters and later aboard a boat he proudly purchased. We fished and cruised lots of weekends through my teen years, just my dad and me. It became a challenge once I went away to college, though, and even more of a challenge when my parents moved to another state several years ago. But, whenever we get together these days, one of the first questions I still ask is, “When can we go out on the boat?”
This story resonates with so many people I meet. It might resonate with you as well, and for good reason. Family time often makes for the best story time; the stories we share over and over again. Chances are, one or both of your parents encouraged your love of sailing or powerboating. They also probably taught you how to tie up at the dock, and even recognize and maneuver amid channel markers. Family time is together time: Time to share, to learn, to laugh, and to have fun. Isn’t that also what boating and yachting is all about?
These memories are the chapters of your life. As powerful as they are as oral history, they can become even more powerful when recorded and retold in vivid pictures and written words. We’d love to hear your stories and see your photos, to help you create a lasting legacy. After all, your story is far from being over.
