24 December 2020
Seasons Greetings loved ones,
Well, here we are again, at the end of another year. And what a year it's been.
Johne and I started 2020 in Progreso MX. We were in a boat yard in the middle of two big paint jobs. Johne did a top to bottom repaint on a 56 foot sail boat, while at the same time repainting Second Star's hull.
We wrapped all that up in May and headed to FL to get some things (including, and most importantly, our new lithium batteries) and to see some family and friends. What we had expected to be a six week to two month trip ended up taking four months. With supply chains broken down do to covid, deliveries took way longer than usual. But we finally got everything loaded aboard and came back to Isla Mujeres.
We spent October and November taking care of overdue projects on Second Star and trying to figure out what's next. We both like Campeche MX very much and have been talking about moving there but...there isn't a cruiser community there, and therefore not much, if any, work.
At the end or October Johne received a message from the captain of an 86 foot moter yacht that needs a paint job. Back in the spring Johne had been approached by the son of the owner. He had admired the beautiful new paint on Ganymede and said that his dad's boat needed painting and he would recommend Johne. After a month and a half of putting together a bid and communication back and forth to make sure everyone is on the same page, Johne got the job and, on Monday, we're moving back to Progreso for at least the next six months.
So, that brings us to our biggest news of the year. It's a girl.
Two weeks ago Johne's daughter Jeni called. She told him that through one of the genealogy websites she'd found out she has a half sister two years older than her. After going over the timing and location of conception, and given the fact that they had a second DNA test through a separate site, Johne was hit (in a positive way) with the reality that he has a daughter he did not know existed. I can't begin to tell you what an amazing, emotional two weeks it's been.
We have welcomed Lisa Marie and her two children (Ja'Neika and Moses) into our family with open arms. They are in the process of getting to know each other. After an extensive email exchange, we had the first phone call on Sunday.
For Lisa this has been a 30 year search. She has not only found a father, but the tribe to which she belongs. For Johne it's a wonder from out of the blue. He said finding out about Lisa gave him the same rush of emotions that he experienced when Jeni and Aspen were born. We are all looking forward to getting to know each other better and make up for lost time. Hopefully Lisa will be able to come for a visit in February.
I will close with the wish that all of you stay safe and healthy and that 2021 is a more peaceful and tranquil year.
