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Just a month ago, it never crossed my mind that I
would be writing about anything but the fun we had in the Keys during
lobster season. Certainly, a destructive hurricane that tore through our
homes and neighborhoods was not a remote possibility in my mind. Living in
southwest Florida, we are cognizant of these seemingly minor disturbances
but we believed that we were protected by history and tradition. You could
ask anyone on the street what they thought … without question, they would
quote the fact that Donna was the last significant storm to pass by and
after all, that was so many years ago.
Today, our lives have changed. There are terrible stories to tell since
people lost their homes but there are also stories that tell the best part
of human nature. Every day we are witness to the path of destruction that
tore through our quiet streets and communities and we are thankful for our
friends, neighbors and strangers from other areas who have grouped
together to lend a hand. Unlike a passing event that will disappear from
our minds in a few days, Hurricane Charley is going to be with us for a
very long time. What we learn is a measure of who we are in terms of
humanity. When the press has pulled away in their big trucks with lights
and generators broadcasting our problems to the world, and when the news
goes on to another area in the world that is more interesting, we will
need to be more vigilant and more caring for our friends, family and
neighbors who are still dealing with mundane issues such as trying to
sleep in 95 percent humidity, trying to keep food cold, trying to gather
enough water to drink or to cook with, trying to find money to repair all
of those things that fall below the deductible that is dictated by our
insurance carriers …trying to return to work and normal life.
My own household was very lucky. We lost a few screens from the pool cage,
a few roof shingles and a fair collection of nice trees in our yard. Our
dive buddies, the Chainsaw “Bobs” (Bob Barger & Bob Miller & the poor
unfortunate guy not named Bob … Glenn) showed up, gassed and ready to go.
Their hungry chainsaws devoured our trees in no time. They quickly moved
on to a neighbor’s yard and made quick work of a big tree that needed
their gentle touch. The temperature was in the 90’s and the humidity
unbelievable, but did they quit? No … they spotted a huge Australian Pine
that was blocking the street and took it on as their next challenge.
Times are tough but the fact that we can count on our friends when life
deals a bad hand is a priceless treasure.
And.. speaking of treasure, we did find some in the blue waters of the
Florida Keys, not too far from the cluster of islands near Key West called
the Content Keys. A group of adventurers from the dive club had already
done the trek from Ft. Myers/Cape Coral/Punta Gorda to the safe harbor of
Faro Blanco in Marathon. We spent the week with Doug & Penny on
Barramundi, joined by other Caloosa Dive Club members Larry & Cheryl on
Carpe Diem, Ron & Mary on Royal Tease, Gina & Steve on Island Time, Nick &
Holly on Knot Bad and Bob Halak on Reef Hooker. After a very rough night,
anchored in a cluster of hundreds of other treasure hunters, and after
spending the night checking anchors and watching for drifting boats, we
hit the water at dawn in search of those spiny critters, the wily Florida
Spiny Lobsters. We’re happy to report that we seem to be smarter than most
lobsters and were able to coax them out of their happy homes and into our
waiting coolers.
You would think that coming home with a cooler full of lobster was the
best thing that could happen in a month when a hurricane decided to visit.
You would be really wrong. The best thing that happened was this. On a
warm Sunday evening, just as the sun dropped fiery spikes of red into the
Bay of Florida and the passing thunderstorms paused for a breath, our good
friends Nick & Holly became Mr. & Mrs. Simone. With the Faro Blanco
lighthouse as a backdrop, the wooden planked dock became the aisle.
Friends gathered at the rocky point where the channel drops in from the
bay and shared words of wisdom and love with the bride & groom. Instead of
wedding music, there might have been a hint of Caribbean music in the
background, mixed in with just a little thrum of passing boat engines. I
can’t think of a better way to begin the next phase of life.
So, what you get this month is not the typical dive news you would expect
to find in the middle of summer with warm water and some of the best
diving possibilities lurking under the surface. What you get is a tale of
friendship and friends composing the music that feeds our souls. Friends
in need who can count on the best of human nature when it is most needed …
friends who gather to share the most important moments of your lives.
And just a reminder – when you pass through the checkout counter at the
grocery store, throw your extra change in that little bin that gives to
hurricane victims. If you can’t afford to give money, give water, give
ice, give manual labor or just a little of your time to talk with your
friends who need some encouragement. Everything counts.
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