The Legacy - Ken's Memory Kept Alive.

In life we make decisions to become the type of person we want to be. We work hard and are influenced by others and sometimes influence others.

Ken retired in 2007 and we embarked on a life dream of cruising the oceans.

We expected to see beautiful scenery and spend countless time with each other.

We found so much more..... We threw ourselves into an unknown culture, embracing all that would be shared with us.

We quickly found out that this adventure was about opening our hearts, minds and really living in the present.

Nicaragua pulled at our heart strings. We befriended a 6 yr old street orphan and bought her a bowl of rice. Once finished she wrapped her arms around Ken's legs and with a huge smile looked up at him and murmured Muchas Gracias.

We visited fire halls and made a decision that once our journey was over we would return to Nicaragua and help people that were so appreciative, friendly, trusting human beings.

At Ken's memorial service I mention in the eulogy that I would love to get a firetruck donated in Ken's name. Within minutes one was promised and the 2 year process of getting the truck to Nicaragua began.

I believe Divine intervention prevailed. I couldn't figure out how I was going to get this truck to Nicaragua.

 I was invited to attend a Thanksgiving dinner and sat next to a young man that had just come back from Nicaragua. I asked him where he had travelled in Nicaragua. He was delivering firetrucks and building a community kitchen with his family. By the next day I had contacted and promised Operation Nicaragua a truck.

This great organization can be found at kamloopsfirefighters.wordpress.com

This generous donation of this truck in Ken's name will empower the City of Corazo to modernize their fire department, saving lives and property. Ken would be honoured to know that the Calgary Fire Department has extended their pride and fellowship to help those in need.

I would like to thank all those that help to make this dream come true.

I believe in angels and that they watch over those they love. I also believe that Ken will watch over those that use this truck.

This truck in just a few weeks has already been to 74 calls. Amazing. A true legacy for a man that deserves to be remembered.

Alanna and RJ surprised me with a photo of Ken to present to the Corazo Fire Department. They immediately placed his picture along side the men that they honour. 

The family, Alanna, RJ, Sylvie, Virginia and friend Andrea were put on the back of Ken's truck  while the Kamloops volunteer group climbed onto a pumper and were driven for 20 minutes through the streets with siren and lights. I am sure Ken smiled down on us.  Everyone came out on the street to see the trucks. 

In Ken's life he inspired many people in many ways. An impactful legacy has occurred with this gift.

I have been remembering a conversation that I had with my Grandmother when my Grandfather died. 

She said "Rejoice for having had such a love. Death is part of life and we all meet again. Be strong for your family but more importantly for yourself. He will speak with you and always remain with you, he is a part of your soul and makeup.

I am doing very well, and am currently writing a book that hopefully some day will get published. So keep in touch.

Genesis is also doing well and is having a relaxing time cruising in BC waters not enduring the crazy weather.

Ken's memorial was beautiful and he would have approved. Between 450-500 people turned out to help celebrate his life. I am sorry that I could not meet with so many but am honoured that people flew in for the day from BC, California, and Hawaii. It spoke volumes of the man he was and will remain in our hearts.
I have said that I am not going to continue this blog as it was a chronical of our journey together however I realize that writing helps heal and writing for me soothes so I am going to begin a new blog that will chronical Genesis and my journey. She still has work to do and she will be the healer along with my angels.
I willl return to the boat Feb 01 with Kenny (Our Bestman and friend) Ernie the (Cabinboy as he referred to himself) and together will bring Genesis to Everglades Florida for Apr. She will them be put on a ship and brought back to BC waters and will be live upon in Vancouver and cruised in one of the most beautiful places in the world. (Just cold water!)
Follow the journey and learn about the places and people we meet at HealingGenesis.blogspot.com

Ken's first mahi mahi

Ken and I going around Vancouver Island

Alanna , Kens and I at the airport in Mexico

Ken with his Marlin Catch

RJ, Ken and I in Mexico

To a sailor a Green Flash can be an occurrence seen only once in a lifetime. Green Flashes and green rays are optical phenomena that occur shortly after sunset when the sun appears to have just gone beneath the ocean. A green spot is visible for usually no more than a second. On our last night crossing to Grenada Ken and I witness the flash. We were jumping around like little kids. It was the first one we had seen in the 3 yrs.

Nature has a lot of wonders. We just need to open our eyes and see them.

Winds that are gentle breezes that turn into gales. Sunrises, moon rises, sunsets, moonset. Sea turtles, sea snakes dolphins doing tail walks.

Animals like crazy Lucy the monkey that attacked Ken for touching her yet when I fed her was as calm as could be.

Birds of many colours that have the audacity to sit right by you and crap on your freshly stained handrail.

We have been on the boat for 3 yrs getting her ready and cruising. It has been the best 3 yrs one could have asked for. Some would say living with a person 24/7 would be impossible. Not if you love that person and have the same dreams and goals. You want to explore what life has out there for you.

I have said many times that people out there told us we couldn't do this type of trip with our type of boat. I want to say to all those that try to hold people back,"Keep your opinions to yourself". Anything can be done with the will and desire and with proper weather indicators.

Ken did not survive his heart attack and on Dec 26 became my guardian angel. I am sure he is telling my Grandfather to move over!

No one could have asked for a better Captain and Mate. He touched everyone he met. His booming voice, his unforgetable 40 yr old mustache and his charm. I know that everyone that met him was fortunate.

With help from fellow boaters and friends Genesis will be brought up to Florida. I will be there with her. She will get put on a ship and taken back home to her slip where I will make her look pretty again. (She needs a face lift with all the rain). Ken was concern for her right until the end. She has played a big role in this dream.

There will be a memorial service in Calgary then in the spring the ashes will be put in the ocean to finish his dream.

I thank all those that followed the blog, for all the prayers and condolenses.

When I owned the flower shops a verse that stayed with me.

When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. If you live your live in such a way that when you die you rejoice and the world cries your life has had meaning. That explains Ken to a tee. We have been told to expect many at his memorial, We have received hundreds of emails already and only some people know

He was my best friend, my love and my life. I promised him I would be strong and I will try.

For all those that have touched our lives, thankyou and I cherish everything. The nature, the friendships of the boating community and all who have followed the blog. This week there has been 250 people because of his health. What does that tell you. He was loved and respected

Time will only tell if I write about future boating on this blog but for now this was our chronical of OUR journey so I will end it here.

My aunt just sent me this message and I thought it worth repeating.

Where God puts a period, none of us must put a question mark.

We arrived in Grenada on Dec 13th giving us a full day before RJ would arrive. We anched in Prickly Bay and proceeded to go into Customs and Immigrations for 1000 hr. First one must go to the Health part of Customs and show them your medical records and passports. After everything is in order you are now allowed to take your quaritine flag down. (This was the first country to actually ask for our medical records)

We then continued to finish with the paper work for Customs. All went quick with Customs but it wasn't until about 1300 hr that the women from Immigration showed up. By 1330 we were legal to go wander. Waiting patiently is one thing a boater must learn to do when traveling between countries it is nothing like entering a country by air.

Grenada is a beautiful mountainous, green lush country. It is referred to as the Spice Island as it provides 2/3 of the nutmeg to the world. It smells like bananna bread when you walk through the markets!

The evening on arrival we took the dinghy to the restaurant at the head of the bay and were entertained by a wonderful Blues band. It was a great way to start out trip.

We had decided to not do any touring, geocaching until the kids and Alanna's boyfriend arrived for Christmas.

The transportion to downtown St George's is simple and inexpensive. It is a collectivo bus (not sure what they would call it in English) basically a large van.

Grenada is very English. However it does sound like a foreign language. The difference is that they understand us. Now when the little girl points at my blue eyes and say something I know what she said and can reply!

When Ken and I embarked on this adventure we had researched and planned for many years. We knew all the risks that could happen and have tried to be ready if something should ever happen. Our boat carries and extra toilet! Just in case. We have had to replace 2 now. Salt water is hard on them. In fact it is lucky we float with all the extras. Grenada has great marine stores and guess what I am getting for Christmas. Boat Stuff! Anyways to continue you must have everything in order. We had our pirate bait, have embarked in Mexico and Panama for emergency dental work. Mexico health care for Ken's burnt leg. I write about this as my daughter had to remind me that we knew and wanted to undertake this wonderful trip.

This will be the last blog for awhile and hopefully not too long but realistically it will probably be awhile.

On Dec 18 we were having a normal evening and went to bed. Ken all of a sudden did not feel well and we took him to the hospital in St. Georges. Ernie our crew was still with us and my son had now joined us. Ken suffered a heart attack. He was admitted to the hospital. There were no rooms in the ICU so he was put on a male ward. This is 3rd world medicine. They have great doctors and nurses. A fact that Grenada has a Medical University accepting students from all around the world. However they do not have the equipment. The head Dr after checking the xrays said he would have to medivac to Barbados where they have the state of art equipment. Through insurance time went slow as they wanted him medivac to Alberta. The problem was the doctors would not release him for that as he was not stable enough. Eventually he was medivac to Barbados. I will not get into any of the details but it is very serious. The people in Grenada are very religous and the nurses would sing hymns to Ken as they went about attending to him. Total strangers wanted to know his name so they could pray for him. The taxi driver we found became our personal helper at our beck and call and would not let us pay him. He helped calm me down more than once. I will always be greatful to him

The facilities in Barbados are second to none. We could not ask for better care. Today he will be operated on an then I am sure we will return by medivac to Alberta on time will tell.

The Genesis has been put on the hard (land) and the boatyard will take good care of her until I can get back to close her up. This is no longer huricane season so the urgency is not there and can be dealt with at a later date.

I decided to write about this as we have between 150 - 200 people that watch this blog weekly. I started it originally as a way to keep family and friends in touch and let other boaters know what to expect. I have had boaters email me and tell me after following our journeys we have given them some courage to get out there on the water. To us that is what this is all about.

We have been blessed with 2 wonderful children that have medical knowledge and are keeping their mother grounded and informed. They are awesome.

This journey has been about the people we have encountered in all the countries. Their generosity and willingness to share their lives with us. Show us their culture which is not much differnent than ours in so many ways. The main difference to me has been that they have not lost their spiritual selves or their family values. I really do not see that in our culture now adays.

The boating community. Awesome, awesome people there to help when needed at any time. We have met cruisers from around the world. It is a very tight community.

We are not sure what will happen. We will return someday to the boat I am sure but only time will tell.

So again thanks for following the blog and I hope to be able to pick up where I left in the near future.

Ken anf Faye

And of Course Genesis the magic carpet.