Ahoy My Brethren,
I am
happy you have come to join me in celebrating a wonderful year with us here at
the Sunshine Paddle. We have accomplished so much with the help of so many-
really it is staggering when I think about. With people from 18 countries
working together, many women and children are much safer.
The
start of the year found us working on our goal of practice and pledges for the
paddle of 26 miles down the coast of Pasco. My graduation with my Master’s
Degree was one of the happiest moments of my life- as a person with Battered
Women’s Syndrome I was told this could never happen for me…it was not easy, but
got done with a 4.0 GPA. We made an appearance at Gumbo Limbo the sea turtle
hospital and the Dolphin Research Center. Spreading love, awareness and
learning from the top people in the state.
The 26
mile paddle was amazing. It was deeply spiritual session and nature showed me
how wonderful she can be. The manatee, 2 notch, joined me for part of the
paddle. Shortly after she left, Fred (the shark who thinks I belong to him)
came up and swam with me until I got to Green Key. The weather was all a sailor
could want and then some. By Dutchman Key the dolphins caught up with me and we
played all the way to the park. I was blessed. With one Kayak we raised $750 in
cash and goods, this was split the food bank and the battered women’s shelter
and we were even able to get a bonus for some of the workers. I am so thankful.
The
summer found us calling for people to post us pic of them cleaning a beach near
them. I took 3 different groups to 4 different beaches to clean up and we got
over 200 pictures of others cleaning. I was blessed that Cathy has allowed me
continue use of Yum Yum and practice helped keep me sane as my doctoral classes
required more of my brain. Upon my return from residency, I was faced with
Necrotizing Faciitis and red tide- we were terra bound. I learned to play
tennis whenever I cannot get to the water to keep my muscles moving.
My
health presented real challenges. At times, I got angry knowing the person who
created this situation walks without pain and does not have a brainstem issue-
as I breathed in that pain and anger, I exhaled and let it go. All my being
angry does is create problems for me, this is not an easy concept to learn but necessary
to heal.
The
holiday challenge was taken on to help 3 families, it seemed simple enough
until we realized how many needed help. In total we had 5 toy drops in 3
different countries, several Publix gift certificates and the original 3
families. All of my crew worked hard and was impressive to watch- no one at
this charity gets paid, we do it to bring up our community on a local, coastal
and global level. With one Kayak we raised over $3900 in cash and goods.
As the
year drew to a close, a final gift was made to the shelter- a new cannon
scanner. This way it can be used for women to make a cyber-copy of their important
papers while they are in shelter, in case they have to move quickly. This is a
way to replace them until help can arrive and take just a little bit off the
shoulders that carry so much.
We
welcome 2015 with open arms. Taxes are almost complete and practice continues.
We now have new water video cameras. April 20 will be the Paddle of the Pasco
Coast and next month we will be putting out pledge sheets. In March we will
have a meeting to discuss the holiday challenge.
Carry On,
Captain D
