sunset ................. from P

Sunsets have been on my mind lately, both metaphorical and experiencial. My dad's yard is an explosion of pink azalea blossoms dappled with white dogwood flowers. The angle of the afternoon sun lights it up in a way that makes me stop the car when I come around the corner toward his house. From his kitchen table the big dogwood in the side yard frames his profile as he lies in the medical bed next to the window. As the show fades in the background I can't help thinking how much he would love to sit with us aboard Senara and watch the sun set into the Gulf of Mexico.

K and I almost involuntarily developed a habit of migrating to the cockpit every day around 6:30 to watch the show, wherever we were. We found that every other sailor aboard their boat, whether on mooring balls, anchors, or tied up in their slips were likewise drawn up to their cockpits or cabin tops; everyone basking in the splendor. Of course, each sunset is a little different. More interestingly, sunset rituals are each a little different depending on where you are. The most famous sunset ritual, no doubt, is Key West's daily sunset celebration on the sea wall at Mallory Square. It is fun to go once, but it has become much to organized and commercialized to retain the cult following it once enjoyed.

Elsewhere in the Keys, particularly Boot Key Harbor at Marathon, you will likely hear the low, mournful sound of conch shells being blown by sailors to bid the sun farewell. Up in the northeast, particularly around Newport, the sunset was always accompanied by the firing of a signal cannon - your signal to "strike your colors" for the night. And everyone ceremoneously lowers their flags in unison. For a few nights in Boot Key Harbor we were fortunate enough to be moored near a Scot who stood atop his cabin top each evening and played the bagpipes. He always ended with "Amazing Grace" as the sun disappeared - it would bring tears to your eyes.







Playing the pipes aboard "Go Lassie Go"






We have our traditions and standard rituals that bring meaning and comfort when a loved one dies. My brother, sister and I have already begun some of the too familiar first steps. I like to believe that some of the end-of-the-day rituals I've learned from sailors up and down the coast are connected to our end-of-life rituals. The feelings and reflections come from the same place. If the day has been well lived, or as in dad's case a life has been well lived - I feel the loss, then I am still, reflective, thankful, and renewed.