Boat Sold

(The Lady Melba is the boat in the center of image. If image doesn't display fully, click image.)

Yesterday, my Dad, Capt. Billy, sold his fishing boat, Lady Melba, to another family of fishermen on the other end of the county. Well, Dad say, "He basically gave it away!" :)

Either way, today, the Lady Melba, under the hand of her new pilot, will leave the Refuge Harbor near the Harkers Island Bridge, where she has been docked many years. The hearts of the Willis family are kind of tender, as you might imagine. 

Last night I arrived on the island from Virginia around 10 p.m. I stopped at the boat to reminisce for a while in the darkness around the docks. It was heart-wrenching. I guess having the fishing vessel a vital part of our family for 29 years and knowing it would no longer be a part of our coastal landscape got the best of me. I finally left for the home place. 

When I arrived Dad and Mom were in bed. I stood in the hallway for a while just staring at Dad asleep and I tried to imagine how emotionally hard his day had been. 

This morning I walked in his room and woke him up for a full day of chemo. He cried a little. Oh yeah, I guess I didn't tell you, Dad didn't know I had arrived in the night. It was a surprise visit.

After cooking him a French toast breakfast and sharing coffee and prayer together at the family table, Dad, Mom, and their eldest son have now arrived at the cancer clinic and are awaiting the challenges of another day. 

The day is off to a good start. Dad's humor is back. As we rolled him back to have blood drawn, we saw some mannequin heads displaying wigs. Dad asked the nurse, "Have you all started beheading people here?" :)

Grateful