I was working at West Marine in the electronics aisle when I heard a couple speaking in broken English trying to decide on LED lighting to help cut down on power consumption, little did I know helping them would lead to a friendship that crosses language barriers.
Josef and his family are from the Czech Republic, not exactly a mecca of sailing activity and yet they had a desire, a dream actually crazier than ours! They flew here with their two children and landed in Miami with nothing but bags, some hard earned money and a wild dream to buy a boat and sail away.
Well after a few weeks they managed to find a Beneteau and began to discover the idiosyncrasies and quirks of sailboats quickly. They had electrical problems, radio problems, no GPS, no charts, and none of the things people normally have when going out. But what they did have was heart, and heart can get you a long way if you've got enough of it, though it's easily confused with stubbornness. Either way it can get things done. They managed to make it down here to Marathon and into Boot Key Harbor without incident and it was here we as a community we were fortunate enough to get the chance to be part of their journey.
They now have GPS, charts, EPRIB, working radio and safety equipment as well as tips, pointers and a much better chance of seeing what they came here to see. They have water jugs, fuel containers and a huge list of fans cheering them on as they sail away. Unfortunately the US government has limited their stay in the country and they have to leave the next time the weather is good enough to make a crossing.
The generosity of the boating community in Boot Key Harbor and the genuine desire to help our fellow voyagers continues to amaze me. We all arrive here from different backgrounds, making our way to this port from multiple paths in life, some bumpier than others, some longer. No matter the time, or the chosen path we are here, we are kindred spirits. I believe and to quote the great Zig Zigler
"You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want."
This family, this crew and this boat will continue to live by this. We have been helped beyond measure and paying that forward is something we are glad to do. Helping someone achieve their dream puts you one step closer to yours. If you are reaching for something in life, take time out and see if you can help someone else, you may find yours just around the corner.
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