February 1, 2025 — Fernandina Beach, Florida
In Little Women, Louisa May Alcott writes, “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” And, this is how we enter retirement on February 1, 2025. We set sail from the docks at Fernandina Beach, Florida, with Captain John on the Windward Dream for a private chartered 3-hour sunset cruise through the intercoastal waterway toward Cumberland Island and Fort Clinch.
This was Cheryl’s first sailing trip, and only one of a few Marsha has experienced. Right away, we start to keel hard as we zig zag the strong headwinds out of the channel and into the open water. Captain John assures us the sailboat will not capsize because it has a 5,000-pound keel beam to keep us afloat despite the strong winds in our sails. That didn’t quell Cheryl’s concerns; but as we sailed toward smoother waters and a steady wind, Captain John asked her to take the helm. True to form, she felt more in control and got a much better feel for how the boat responds to the changing wind.
Sailing is about finding and keeping balance. Ironically, that is a theme of our retirement so much so that we named our new vehicle Yin and our travel trailer Yang.
For more than 40 years, we both worked long and hard to achieve many successes and learned from equally as many missteps and failures. To our detriment, we sacrificed our own health and wellbeing and drifted away from family and friends outside our working circles. We didn’t strike much balance all those years. While we can’t go back and regain what we’ve lost, we can lean into the present and do better.
Sailing into the sunset was breath taking; and by this point there were no fears, only peace and beauty all around. Back into port, we step off the boat and onto the dock. We thanked Captain John and looked up to gaze into the darkening sky. A beautiful crescent moon hung low with Venus shining bright in perfect alignment. A clear night calls us into balance and clarity of purpose as we begin retirement.
Come What May 
Let’s Us Know What You Think.