It’s been over a month since I’ve produced an update about our lives while sailing Britican. I experienced a tragedy off the boat and I’m still not doing too well.
This video highlights our passage from Martinique to Antigua. The main highlight of our stay in Antigua showcases Green Island. If you’ve never been there before, it’s a must-visit destination for boaters. On our travels, Len and Cassi (Len’s 10-year-old daughter), join us as our buddy boat.
Before leaving for the final leg to St Martin, I leave the boat due to a family situation that ends in tragedy. From Antigua to St Martin Simon and Sienna and Len and Cassi make the trip north as the Daddy Daughter Boat Squadron.
To find out why I’m not doing so well and to read more about my experience, check out So This Is What A Panic Attack Is?!.
Tragedy Off The Boat
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Any Questions or Comments About Our Tragedy Off The Boat Video?
Please leave them below.
Sorry to hear of your step dad. We are all reaching that age when parents and loved ones are started to make the transition from this world to another. I went through the same in a very short time with both my parents who passed within two months of each other as well as a mother in law and a sister in law in that same year. We are hopefully there to be able to comfort and take care of…but also there to say “I love you”. I am in Raleigh and have been following you on and off for a few years. I knew your family was someone close. The trees are absolutely stunning this time of year so maybe you got to appreciate some of that beauty while you were here…and maybe your step dad got to see it too. Continue to think about getting aboard with you for a week or two. It would be somewhat confusing though. Have a great thanksgiving. -Simon
Hey Simon. Thank you for your comments and I’m sorry to hear of your parent’s passing. Interestingly the color change of the leaves was high on my gratitude list while in NC. Many sad things were going on but I still had the energy to appreciate the autumn season. On the boat we don’t get that at all! Thank you for your kind words. Kim
We’re very sorry for your loss. From the pictures, he seemed like a very lively guy. I am sure he enjoyed sailing. We’re happy you are back aboard. Fair winds. Mike and Jean Barney
Thank you Mike and Jean! Kim.
Kim, thank you for posting this story. I realize this was probably difficult for you but I agree that it may turn out to be therapeutic. Your story about the American Airlines staff helping you has gone a long way towards helping to restore my faith in humanity which has taken a very big hit in this last year and a half so thank you for sharing that.
I’m a nurse and I can picture much of what you describe about being there with your stepfather in his finals days. Unfortunately your experience is not unusual. Our medical system does not do a very good job with end-of-life situations (though hospice does a good job). Unfortunately (or fortunately) most of us have not seen someone at the end of life and we have no frame of reference. Even as a nurse I thought it would be like it is on TV, but it’s just not. We usually can’t tell exactly when someone will die and it does often go on for days as your situation did and the strain on the family members going through it is immense. You have been through a very difficult experience so be sure to take care of yourself mentally and physically. You may need some mental health assistance which maybe you can access online? Even if you can’t connect with a therapist directly you may be able to find support groups online and be able to chat with others who have had similar experiences.
I have had a few panic attacks too. I completely understand that you feel like you’re dying. That is exactly how I would describe it too. Now you know what it feels like and maybe you can use that information to help work through them when they happen. For me, knowing it was a panic attack (because as a nurse I had the ability to check my vitals and even my heart rhythm) was enough to stop it. I was able to recognize that my brain was causing me to feel this way, not my body…because there was nothing wrong with my body. This doesn’t work for everyone but maybe it will help. And just because you have had some panic attacks now, it doesn’t mean you will have them forever. It is very likely it could be situational due to what you have experienced. Maybe do some research on the mind-body connection. Our brain is very powerful and can make us feel all sorts of physical symptoms, but the brain that creates those symptoms (and the symptoms are real, not imagined, it’s just that they are being generated by the brain), can also make those symptoms go away. Hang in there, keep busy while also allowing downtime to take care of yourself. I’m sorry you experienced this difficult time.
Thank you for all your kind words and advice Kim. Since the panic attack, I’ve gone on to fly to the US and to the UK. On my first flight, I was wondering how I would react but I was fine. On the way to St Martin from the UK we, however, hit massive turbulance. It was terrible – people were screaming. I felt my heart start to beat heavily and I thought, ‘oh know!!! I refuse to have another panic attack!’ I remembered what the nurse on the AA flight told me – she said, ‘you have to distract yourself.’ So at first I just started to name things, smell things and feel things around me. For some reason I opened my phone and started making a to-do list. I wrote down all the things we needed to do on the boat and to prepare for our guests coming. To my amazement making the to-do list took me away from the situation and although it was still scary I wasn’t feeling like I was going to panic. Thanks again for taking the time to write a comment. Big smiles, Kim
Dear Britican, Kim,
My condolences.
Thank you for the candid narrative. Time does heal all wounds but that is something you already know and doesn’t stop the pain right now.
Just know that we (the interested sailing community) are reading your texts and watching your videos and are feeling for you. Some of us know what you are going to because we had to life through something similar. We empathise and feel for you.
Kind regards,
Mike Keizer
Thank you so much Mike! K.
Hi Kim
Sorry for your loss.
Don & Linda Gibbs
Thank you Don & Linda! K.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. The pictures you showed at the end were just beautiful. Sending you all good wishes and sympathy.
Thank you Laura. K.
Dear Kim,
Such a loss is always traumatic. Please accept my condolances.
I couldn’t finish your video.
It was ovbiously an experience “iinsupportable”. The French is so much more appropriate.
Try to rest. (old geezer’s recommendation)
Mike Barnard
Thank you Mike. K.
So sorry for your loss…
Thank you Leslie. K.
01.12.2022
Hi everyone!
All of you did well during those challenging times, very courageous & strong
that’s important for spiritual longevity among loved ones!
The water we cruise on helps keep us connected, as does the spiritual realm.
A good anchor chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
W.W.