Week 30: A Ship in Harbor Is Safe...But That Aint What It's Built For

Week 30: A Ship in Harbor Is Safe...But That Aint What It's Built For was taken leaving St. Thomas Island in the Caribbean this past April...(and just like last week the title is taken from a song...this time: Jennifer Knapp's Believe). Our ship was on the final leg of our journey back to the home port of San Juan, Puerto Rico where we had first set sail the week before. Almost all of our group were on the deck watching the land grow increasingly small while the seemingly endless blue depths swallowed the space between our ship and dry land.

Our final sail was the first time I noticed this little boat that came right up to the monstrous cruise ship. Just one man was on it. Across the side were painted letters: "PILOT." As soon as the boat was bobbing alongside our ship a man climbed down and out of the cruise ship and hopped into the Pilot boat. The two men zipped away back toward the shore.

I was totally intrigued. As we all discussed the amazing job someone must have, we realized how much skill and thought must go into maneuvering ships in and out of port. These pilots are exactly what their name implies: guides. In fact, I looked it up in my trusty dictionary (the one I've had since freshman year of high school). "pilot: 1. a person licensed to conduct vessels in or out of a harbor or where navigation is difficult... 3. a guide; leader..."

Now, I'd like to remind you that I lived in Hawaii for six years. I managed a hotel in the Nawiliwili Harbor area, the main port for all major vessels coming to and leaving from Kauai. The pilots actually stayed in my hotel. These men would meet ships outside the harbor and guide them into the docks. They knew high tide and low tides. They knew if there had been a recent rain storm or ocean disturbance. They knew the schedules of all the other ships for the day. They knew their port.

I would make a terrible pilot. My knowledge of tides came from observation and reading the tables in the Garden Isle newspaper. I can tell you basically what good conditions entail and I can tell you that 3 to 5 foot waves is about all I can handle. Surfers like 6 to 10... Northshore pounders in the winter can be 20 to 25. Wind speeds can also make choppy waves. No one likes high wind speeds. That's about all I know.

Don't get me wrong. I loved living on Kauai. And one of the best things was being on the water. Unfortunately my ability to handle ocean-going affairs is subject to the boat being in forward motion. The moment engines idle or turn off, I begin a fight to keep my equilibrium...and the contents of my stomach. Sad, but true...even with 3 to 5 foot waves.

Thanks to island lore and the amazing ginger root, I can deal...because I truly love the ocean. I love Kipu Kai, a beach on Kauai that can only be accessed by boat. So my boss, who loves to fish, would drive me to Kipu and leave me there for hours while he fished. I love the little crabs that sometimes came flying over the sides of the boat all bewilderment as to where they were and why. I love the grace and awesome beauty of a whale splashing, spinning and slamming into the water. I love the joy and speed of a pod of dolphins shadowing a boat.

I love jumping overboard and then surfacing in salty water that burns my eyes and nose. I love sand sticking to my feet and legs. I love rays of sun sparkling across waves and penetrating down into crystal depths. I love that I don't know exactly what is around me at any given moment when I'm in the water.

I love that there are parallels in all of this for my life. A Ship in Harbor Is Safe...But That Aint What It's Built For. We all have parts of life that are difficult to navigate... that need a guide... that want for a leader... that leave us fighting just to stay upright... that make us feel like we might lose our lunch... that cause us to fear... that cause us to wonder... that bewilder us...

We have things that show us grace... awesome beauty... joy... things that burn... things that stick to us... things that sparkle... unknown things... things that are far bigger than us... things we cannot even begin to experience unless we leave the harbor.

I'm so glad I'm more willing than ever to leave harbors and live my life to the full. I'm so glad I'm surrounded by so many things and people to help guide me. Even in a beautiful place like the Caribbean or Kauai, there are still challenges for someone like me. I'm so glad I have the Ultimate Pilot. I can't imagine life any other way.

Thanks for reading...We've made it through 30 weeks together now. It feels like I just started yesterday... And really, I only did it because my Sweet Georgia Peach wouldn't let it go and because I was inspired by Project 52s. So thanks, SGP and Flickr and Project 52ers who've gone before me. Blogging has already been an amazing journey for me and I look forward to much more!