A shrimp boat lay on its side with the hull hugging the marsh grass as the stern obviously takes on water. The door to the cabin is open and salt water pours inside. All of the colors are brilliant! The green of the marsh, the sun kissed sea, a clear blue sky and a white boat. It would make a lovely painting and a beautiful picture.
It's a shame its a tragedy!
Someone's livelihood is sinking and dreams are drowning. Nets that used to drag the bottom now rest there permanently. Fish once caught will now have a new home while a Captain has no catch.
Back on the mainland, creditors howl, customers quickly find a new supplier and nobody eating shrimp tonight really gives a damn where it comes from.
The Captain has to tell his family, if he has one anymore, there is no more income. There's only left over debts. If he's lucky, his family left him a long time ago as he gave his life to the sea. Maybe there's another boat he can crew until he gets enough money to buy a new boat and start over ... again.
One of the things about living on Tybee Island is the beauty of the shrimp boats. They still take my breath away. Over the decades though I've witnessed and learned the horror of when they sink.
It's a hard life on a shrimp boat but the job has its perks. Most every sunrise is a painting. You're one with the sea. Blood mixes with salt. You live a dream.
Unlike shrimp boats, life doesn't come with a net. I certainly never knew mine would have its fair share of wreckage. Marriages, jobs I'd devoted myself to, friendships I believed would last forever and dreams that went away rest at the bottom of the sea. There were certainly times when I thought that's where I was headed.
But I'm still here keeping my head above water. Sailing towards the sun, catching new friends, finding out new things about myself and looking forward to tomorrow. My faith has been restored though I now know everything there is to about crucifixion. I believe in angels. The dead do come back. As bad as things were, God is good.
When I look back over my shoulder I see a calm blue ocean under a clear blue sky. But I know what lays underneath ... the wreckage that got me this far. There's no going back to any of it. Who would want to?
Diamonds are sprinkled on the sea. Dolphins smile as they glide beside me. Seagulls sing. My lungs are full of salt air. The only thing that matters is what my life hauls in today.
