Winning at Life

Today was a very busy day. Suzie and I had to rise early, pick up Emma at Salt Kettle, and get to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club by about 9:00 am, because Emma's son, Daniel, was competing in the Junior Gold Cup Race in Hamilton Harbour. Woo Hoo!

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is, indeed, an establishment fit for The Queen. Her portrait is posted in the foyer, so that she may preside over all that occurs!

The Gold Cup Race brings the best sailors from around the world, as does the Junior Gold Cup, which is also referred to as the Optimist Class, or OPTI Class. 

I have to say that I was truly inspired to watch the young men and women (under the age of 14) independently grab their sails (that had been transported via aircraft, in huge black plastic tubes), put them together and put them up, as they prepared to compete.

This deserves a film documentary, I thought...

Single competitors (the best of the best) came from Germany, Spain, British Virgin Islands, Argentina, Malta, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Bermuda- to name a few. 

The contingent from Bermuda was larger, because they permitted some quasi-amateurs to join in the race, for the sake of gaining more experience. 


What a lifestyle, I thought, for these young masters of their craft, to be able to travel the world, and make friends that would likely last forever. 

I saw beauty and sportsmanship in their camaraderie with one another- irrespective of the fact that they were all competing against one another. 

As I watched them sail their little boats out into the harbor- one by one- and line up for the start, there was an innocent, youthful, rugged fearlessness to behold.

Emma had introduced me to a lovely friend named Sandra from New Zealand; she was at the race to cheer on her daughter, Lucy. 

Emma, Sandra and I watched some racing from the shore, but when it came time for the OPTIs, we were invited out on a barge to watch the action up close. 

The weather was dicey, and there was little wind- despite the sailors' luck at having a good amount of wind for their practice rounds. 

We wondered if it would pour rain, right in the middle of the race. I asked Emma and Sandra what would they do, if such a thing occurred?? 


'Keep calm and carry on', is what they would do- unless there was thunder and lightning, in which case, they would need to postpone. They would notify the sailors by hoisting a certain flag.

Having seen many mini sailboats in Bermuda, operated by children in the big harbor- beside yachts, motorboats, ferries and cruise ships, I found it marvelous to see kids learning something that would infuse them with inner confidence and independence. They were away from mobile devices and screens! 

Talk about a way to build character. (You must sail...or swim!)

The OPTI race was cut short, as storm clouds loomed. Wind was a virtual "no show", so the kids could not complete the whole course, in time for the adult finalists to take to the waters. 

As we waited for Daniel and Lucy on the pier, after the race, we watched the boats come into the dock, one by one.


Two of the sailors that had caught my eye included a young man from Bermuda, who was wearing a woolly Canada hat with a huge pom pom on top (suited for subzero temperatures). 

Another standout was the competitor from the U.S. (a very strong sailor, I hear) who had the appearance of a budding California 'surfer dude'.

These are the future sailors in The America's Cup, I thought to myself.

As Lucy's boat came in, a breeze blew her closer to shore. I noticed that she just rode it in, reclining in her boat, with her little feet poking out. Talk about a precious sight.


In no time, Emma was wondering where Daniel was; would he be the last sailor off the water? 

All of a sudden, we heard, in her charming Aussie accent, "OH NO! Is that him? Out there...?!?! Swimming?!?!"

Sure enough, Daniel and his host buddy, Sebastian, had each capsized each other's boats after the race! They were in the water, oblivious to the agendas of all adults, celebrating their new friendship, and the beauty of spontaneity. 

(I am not sure whether they broke any of the rules of seamanship, but it was purely delightful.)


After this truly wonderful experience, I was feeling in need of food and drink. I headed for Bouchee, the French cafe, known for its weekend breakfasts. Plans to order salad were fruitless. My stomach overruled me, when I looked at the menu... "Eggs Benedict, please!"

Desperately in need of a nap, I headed back to Salt Kettle to switch rooms. 

Two new guests had arrived- Lynn and Kim from Canada and Nova Scotia- mother and daughter. They were here to surprise Linda and Monica for Mother's Day. 

Both Lynn and Linda (best friends) are grieving similar losses. How wonderful for them to soon be reunited in a place that holds everlasting memories... (and will soon hold even more.)

Having exchanged mutual condolences for our recent personal losses, I took out the picture of my mom for Lynn to see- as I often do, to show her, with pride. 

Lynn said, "Is that Hazel?!" (Hazel Lowe was the legendary lady who ran this guest house) "No, this is MY mom!" She commented what a remarkable resemblance my mother had to Hazel.

Janie came back, and escorted me to my new room (one which I never want to leave). It is so me- lots of color, and fabulous bedding- flowers, matelasse spread, louvre doors on the closet, and of course, there is the token wall painted with orange and white stripes.

When she arrived, I had the picture of Marlys, sitting on my purse. I showed her the image. 

"IS THAT MUMMY?!", she said. 

It was so strange! Janie saw my mom, and thought it was her mom...! 

We both remarked how uncanny that whole moment was... Our mothers were potentially having their cocktails together, now!

Needing to relax in the AC for a while, I retreated to my room. 

Janie invited me to go to a church fundraiser in the evening- dinner and BINGO! And, all for $15! That sounded like a perfect way to end my day!

As the sun went down, we headed to St. Paul's Church, chatting about plans to go to Australia together, to visit Emma. We did not want her to go home- especially since she lives on the clear other side of the world...when would we see her again?


Janie reported for her assigned duty, as a newly appointed member of the Church Guild. 

She would be working, alongside her friend, Barbara, as a "checker"- the ladies who would confirm that nobody tried to cheat (ha ha!)

Dinner was served cafeteria style- all homemade goodness, generated by the "church ladies". 

Despite the wicked heat, hot food was on the menu- a choice of chili (with or without meat) or an array of soups. Someone had made the MOST delicious bread rolls; I must get that recipe!

Barbara had brought her Auntie to BINGO; how fortunate for me! Flo, a sweetie bear of 90 years, sat next to me, as we navigated 12 rounds of BINGO together!

Jane and Barbara had been ill-advised. They had presumed that they could PLAY BINGO, while also working as "checkers". Not so! They must stand guard, and be ready to leap into action... 

This left myself, and Flo with a total of six BINGO cards to manage, and it was no small feat!


Due to the haste of the BINGO caller, Flo and I had barely a moment to converse, sadly! 

But, we did have time to take a quick selfie; it may have been Flo's very first.

As luck would have it, both Flo and I won! 

Flo won a gift certificate to the Supermarket during a round of BINGO, and I won a raffle prize- an exquisite, handmade birdhouse (painted by a young Bermudian, named Noah). 
As the night drew to a close, the heat in the air and exhaustion from the competition made us all a little sleepy. 

I witnessed that two gamers had actually fallen asleep in their chairs. (Wish I could post!) 

We all welcomed the last game; the seniors in the crowd were long overdue for bed, and so was I. 

As I helped Barbara with Flo to their car, I learned that Flo resided in a Nursing Home, without so much as a Recreation Director...how could this be? 

Flo had been the oldest gal in her fitness class; now she was adjusting to a much different lifestyle. 

If only, I could plan them some activities, I thought...I felt a tug on my heart.

Having fallen in love with Flo, I wanted to go home with her, and tuck her in for the night. Yet, my bed at Salt Kettle awaited.

When I returned to the guest house, birdhouse in my proud hands, I looked at my mom's image, knowing that the next day was Mother's Day- a day that I had dreaded, since arriving in Bermuda. 

Despite the fun loving nature of my blog, I have shed many a tear here, for my mom. 

Seeing Mother's Day cards, bouquets, window displays- just trying to utter the name of the holiday- all of it has made the tears flow. I was even planning to avoid church, if it could be a trigger for a public meltdown.

How was I going to cope with the holiday, and seemingly on my own- far from my family and loved ones? 

Lynn, also newly grieving, gave me advice. "Make a plan", she said.

I knew that I would need to take care of myself, as my mother would wish- and express my feelings, because that is healthy.

Ironically, Marlys never liked Mother's Day, anyway! 

As I looked at her picture before bed, hoping to channel her Nordic strength for the day to come, I could swear that I heard her whisper, "Ish!"

xoxo