2015

Yes, it is a New Year--2015!!! And we are in the Caribbean on the island of Antigua. How did we finally get here??? That is a very good, or not so good story--depending on your perspective. But the ongoing realization that we have as we enter this new year is the deepening commitment to "letting go" of stories.
Aaahhh, stories....The memories of a past experience or the concerns of a future occurrence, but definitely NOT the current moment in time. And we are finding less and less want or need to live in the stories whether they are "good or bad", because they rob us of the richness of this present moment of NOW.
Soooo....now we are here in 2015 on the island of Antigua and we are very, very grateful!!!

We are also thankful for the 2 months we had with family in Charleston while we were trying to get to the islands.  What a rich time with Richard's Mom, 2 sisters and their families. It's truly been a deepening of connection and love! We find that the longer we are in this incarnation, the choosier we become in our choices of who we spend our time with. There is less (time) of it for us and we want to use it wisely.  How special it is that we "want" to spend it with family.

Christmas here in the Caribbean is very different than any other tradition. It seemed to be like a Christmas Mardi Gras complete with fun costumes, barbecue, champagne and reggae music. Did i mention "fun"? Lots and lots of it! Dancing reggae all afternoon...

The Captain with decorated boat in the background--different kind a Christmas indeed!!


New Year's Eve is also my Captain's birthday. Yeah, the whole world celebrates with him and i find that only fitting. So we were in port at English Harbor with lots of champagne, music and fireworks.

Family and friends sent cards, pictures and presents with me for the Birthday Boy. So what a surprise for him!!!! We even managed to sneak in his all time favorite of Sees candy. There was a Scottish fellow on the boat docked next to us and he happened to hear that it was the Captain's birthday. Even he surprised us with a couple of birthday balloons. Even one that lit up inside. Too much fun....

Music and fireworks at midnight...

This looks like a jellyfish in the sky!!!





And then of course, our favorite part of this sailing life, leaving port and finding the best coves to drop anchor in and just "be".

Slowing it all down and thanking Brother Sun for another day...

Antigua is a beautiful island, green and lush with an abundance of little yellow butterflies everywhere (even out to us on the water). The island is full of music and dance of which we truly enjoy.

Yes, it is a New Year and new experiences for us!!!

Happy New Year,
Willow and Captain