Mukilteo Musings

My First Time

You wouldn't think my first time on a yacht in Seattle would be connected to church but I would not have it any other way. A couple that belongs to our congregation owns this gorgeous boat and they donated a Christmas Ship evening aboard the yacht to our church's Christmas craft fair and auction. A bunch of us pooled our resources for a lovely cruise and all of the funds went directly to our church!

Our family has always watched the Christmas ships follow the tour boat with the children's choirs from a little strip of land behind the UW. But this year, we had the code to a gate surrounding some pretty fancy boats and we got to step onto a dock just a few strides away from our plebian perch of years past. I have been on a ferry numerous times, my husband's ancient fishing boat, and one time 25 years ago, a friend's small sail boat. But never have we been invited aboard an honest to goodness yacht.


Kirkland on east side of Lake Washington


"Our" Yacht


Space Needle from Lake Union

Most of my photos simply did not turn out. Sorry! If you want to see how gorgeous Seattle is all lit up for Christmas and surrounded by the reflection of water everywhere, you just have to see it in person. It was really fun being on one of the yachts I always tried to capture with my camera in years past. I would wonder who the people were and I would remark, "Those folks are no happier than we are!"


Aft


Inside


Outside

My spirits, to be honest, were dampened because our daughter did not want us to leave her. Mukilteo had had quite a snow storm; the streets were treacherous and Kaley worried we might not be able to drive down the steep hill to our house. But beyond the snow, Kaley was having a tough time. She was not chosen for a coveted solo in choir that she has wanted since she was in the 6th grade. Unfortunately, she reacted in the passion and devastation of it all in a way that hurt the feelings of some other kids. Kaley has had her feelings hurt by some of these same kids in the recent past but teaching a child to react in a positive way to being hurt is difficult. If anybody thinks sports is the only arena where competition breeds hard feelings----whoa, I could write volumes.

So yes, the happy smiling Puget Sounders aboard the decorated boats in the Christmas ship parade probably have issues on their minds. But, they are trying to have a good time in spite of it all. And other than being cold, we did have a joyful and wondrous time in spite of it all.

And where are those hot flashes that menopause supposedly promises when you need them??


Merry Christmas!