Two Fathers' Two Fathers

Jim, Dave, Hans, and Bob, on Bob's MC 1, E motion.

As with many families, parents eventually realize they're not meant

to be together for eternity, so they divorce and very often re-marry.

A lot of the time, the break-ups are bitter and the kids suffer the

consequences. My brother and I were fortunate in that although

our parents had their difficult years, they both found someone

to continue life with.  All parties were either friends, crewmates,

 sailing acquaintances, or all of the above. Life in those days

largely revolved around sailing. 

The Murphy Nye sail means that the day started out with light
wind.  Evidently it picked up, as seen in this photo.  Had Dad known, he
may have gone with a flatter Seidelman main instead. 

Because of the common interests of  the parties involved, there

was not only a civil acceptance of the new spouses, but a 

friendly and sociable relationship emerged.  My brother and I

lived with our Mom and Bob, but spent most summer weekends

with Dad and Jill, sailing and racing.  However, all of us were on 

the Bay on Saturdays.  One race with Dad in the

morning in the Penguin, then maybe on Bob's E scow in the 

afternoon.  Or Laser in the morning, and Dad's E scow in the

afternoon.  There were many permutations by which we

spent our summer Saturdays.  The continued involvement

in racing almost guaranteed that we'd all be somewhat bonded.

Dad's scow, MC2, Repechage.  Google 'repechage' if you want.
MC is for Metedeconk.

So much for the history lesson.  I don't remember for sure but

I have to believe there were at least a handful of Fathers' days

that we were on a boat together, or at least around boats.  How

could we not have been?  Sunday?, in the summer?

Jim and Bob on the patio at 829 South Drive, on the Metedeconk.

I'm lucky to have had two sailing mentors, two life mentors, two

 Dads.  Happy Fathers' Day, Bob, Hans, and all the Dads out there!  

I'll say HFD to Dad tomorrow when we're out on the Bay.