Back in the Boat!

Friday the 13th: cold, misting, the low hanging clouds obscuring views across Lake Washington, its waters lying still as glass. A drear, moody, ominous morning -- but a glorious day -- for I was back in the boat with my chums for the first time since August 16th (on recovery from my 3rd knee replacement.)  I requested bow seat out of caution in case the leg or shoulder had to have a rest.  But no problem; rusty, but so elated to be back on the water.

When a crew is in sync, there is nothing like it.  The boat runs whispering out from under you, the rhythmic "thunk" of release and crisp "splat" of catch metranomic as you focus to row well but also to match the swing and drop of the person in the seat ahead -- even when she or he is not rowing well.  When all are well it's a symphony of heart, mind and body; one is not in the boat but of the boat.  We had a couple of strokes almost of that ideal -- we're only master amateurs, after all, and most of us old farts at that.  Those almost moments bring silent joy.

Today was also our annual Christmas/Hanukkah pot luck luncheon.  We expressed gratitude to our coaches.  Then, I was stunned to be awarded The Cake Cutter Award for service to the club. (Cut-the-Cake is a drill focusing on matched blade heights and synchronized swings.)  I have gained so much more from Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center than given to it....  I was humbled.  And to have my name listed there alongside role models like George Corkery!  George was in his eighties when I started crewing with him; he retired at 89.  So that's my goal -- another ten years of catch, drive, swing, release and the zen-like peace of being crew member, once again back in the boat, once more at one with the boat.