Today is Wednesday, July 25,
2012.
“Post Script from Chapter 9: I
contacted Oscar of International Marine regarding my electrical problem on July
19th regarding the console box that controlled my lights and
battery status. Today, July 20th;
Oscar (Ken’s right hand guy) told me know that a new console box was being
priority mailed to me and is due to arrive on Monday July 23rd. The problem became apparent when I was checking
the Battery charge status and running lights in preparation for a sunset ride .
. .
Upon further inspection, I discovered that all the fuses were corroded,
that the connectors were rusted, and that the evidence of water seepage had
occurred prior to my purchase of Floyd.
After replacing the fuses, only the deck lights were operational. Oscar told me that he was sending me a new
control box, as it was obvious that this problem, unfortunately was not
detected during the preparation of Floyd being refitted for our adventure.
This information is being shared, because not only these events are
significant to Floyd & I, but also to let all potential new-owners of
WWPotter 15 & 19 know that Ken & his Staff guarantee their workmanship.”
By mid-day today, Floyd’s electrical issues
have been resolved and we are ready to resume our adventure. We are truly thankful to Ken and his lead
guy, Oscar, for sending us the replacement parts without any hesitation.
Floyd and I used this downtime by stopping by
the local hair cutting business (The Hair Loom) in Isleton, where I always got
a trim while in the delta, to find out how to donate my hair for wigs for
cancer survivors.
This is probably a good point to back up
several months . . . to bring everyone up as to why I stopped by “The Hair Loom”.
Many of you know by now that the main event that
lead up to “Motor-Row-Sail 4 the Cure” was the death of my daughter’s mom on Valentine’s
Day of this year. Sabrina’s mom
participated in many traditional and non-traditional treatments including Chemo
treatment. While Sabrina’s mom had many remissions and at times felt better . .
. she lost her hair and purchased a wig.
Every lady knows, and all caring guys should empathize, that self-esteem
can be diminished when one is not looking their best.
Sabrina informed me the previous year, some
time around mid May of 2011 that her mom had cancer. She was scared for her mom
and tearful of the reality that her mom may not be a part of her life. Sabrina had aspirations of getting married
and having children and wanted to know that her mom and dad would be around to
share Grandma & Grandpa “stuff” with
her.
While there are many avenues and paths that
families and friends travel . . . when a loved one is challenged with a life-threatening
event . . .
Those
events do not take precedence over “the everyday-here-and-now-stuff”.
My first priority was (and is) to do whatever
Sabrina needed me to do. This was a
personal challenge on my part not to do what I felt that should be done to
assist Sabrina or her Mom.
Floyd & I will speak more of this parody
of conflicting priorities later . . .
However, this chapter is about a daughter’s
need . . . not mine. Sabrina shared with
me how traumatic it was for her to shave her mom’s head and to help her mom to
find a suitable wig. I do not know which
upset me the most . . .
that the mother of our daughter was dying or that my daughter
had to shave her mom’s head.
Sabrina grew up with a dad who always had
long hair, as did her mom. However, my
hair was never at a length that was considered eligible for donation. However, upon hearing that Sabrina shaved her
mom’s head, I made a personal commitment to let my hair grow until it reached a
length when I could donate my locks to someone who desired a wig after losing
their own hair as a result of treatment for cancer.
As of today, I was told that my hair needed
to grow a bit longer. Soon my hair will be
of the required length to be worthy of donation to a special person who wants
to look good for her or his loved one and family . . . and to look in the
mirror and feel good about themselves.
Tomorrow, Floyd & I will be resuming our
adventure on the Delta . . .
"The Story of Joe
& Floyd" really began. . .
The day that my daughter told me that
she was fearful that her mom had
cancer . . .
The day that my daughter told me that
she was fearful that her mom had
cancer . . .
You are all
welcomed to follow our adventure . . .
Or, Begin your own adventure!
Til’ we chat again,
Floyd & Joe
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