The Spirit of Fezywig

We had the Sala’s over for dinner.  The Sala's are an amazing family that have helped us from Day 1 with everything from a ride to Cost U Less (St. Martin's version of Costco), a loaner cell phone, inviting *us* for dinner and a swim in their pool.  I could go on...  They're generous, generous, generous.

It was Tuesday, so we ordered Two-For-Tuesday from Dominoes.  I’m not sure how, but four large pizzas came to surprisingly modest sum by island standards.  Claire picked them up, even though I’d left cash to pay for the pizzas AND tip the driver (again, generous).  Monty, Clare and their two supercute kids came out to our boat.  I dare say they liked the dinghy ride. Seeing the lagoon from 'sea level' is always fun, and especially at that speed.  (I've recently learned that engines like RPM's, so I'm trying my best to oblige : )

Aretha Franklin was playing over the speakers as we pulled up to Fezywig.  Everyone got a look-see around the boat.  And dinner was great.  There was plenty of food and plenty of space as we spread out over the whole boat to eat, play and visit.  The trampoline and bow were by far the funnest place to hang out.  People could sit, or lay down.  We brought out the cushions gifted to us by Brian and Nadja on s/v Pyxis), and we had muffins for dessert as the sun set.  We told jokes and chatted.  It was nice.   It was our first time hosting on the boat.  The Sala's were gracious guests.

While on the bow, we noticed a woman struggling with the outboard engine on her dinghy.  She had a dog and a little girl aboard and were drifting about a hundred yards away.  She kept pulling the cord on the outboard, but no dice.  Karina called out and asked if she needed help.  “Yes!” was the reply.  I got in the dingy and motored out.  This was my second time offering someone a tow, so I knew better how to help.  I recommended they all get into my dinghy and we then tow theirs behind, rather than me towing all them in the dead dinghy.  She asked if it was okay if the dog was in our boat.  I said that was fine, so she and the girl—about six or seven years old—and the dog piled in.  As they transferred over, I realized the lady had an infant with her as well, tucked away in a car seat baby carrier.  Baby on board.

I asked the lady—late thirties/early forties, tan, thin, thick rim glasses—if it was okay if I planed the dinghy (again, RPM's).  She said that was fine, so I revved it up.  As we headed to Marigot, I commented it would have been a long row.  "And I only have one oar," she said.  An even longer row.  We sped across to the lagoon and she navigated.  We turned into the inlet leading to their boat.  We waded through the dinghy’s that were tied up and got them to the dock.  I then sped back at full throttle across a perfectly flat expanse of the lagoon.  A lovely ride.

It really does feel good to help.  At least I felt good helping.  And it also feels good to host.  I suppose that’s the spirit of Fezywig.  Maybe it felt like such a good day because we worked hard and we played hard.  (I'd spent the morning on all kinds or errands and tasks.)  We had something to share and we did.  We were in a position to help and we did. 

We’ve needed a lot of help this past month, and it’s been humbling to be in that position, and we’re grateful for all the kindness we’ve been shown.  But there’s something wonderful about giving, about being as generous as we can.  Even if it’s just Dominoes pizza and a tow.