If you have read the other posts on my blog, then you know that I found out some shocking news this year. 2021 has been anything but boring! In January, I discovered that my father was not my biological father after all. I mean, if you have looked at the pictures then you know…the resemblance was unreal! This year also brought me a sister through this bio-dad. She is fabulous! Let us now fast forward to April 28, 2021. This day would have been my daddy’s 79th birthday. But, it was also Siboney’s birthday!! These were two very good reasons that my heart longed to have the trip inclusive of this date in particular. I needed this time with her, time to myself to reminisce about my dad, now to use this date to have peace with the news, and finally I really needed the time at sea to spend it with my Heavenly Father! (I am a huge fan of run-on sentences…haha, just kidding, but it had to be done!)

April 28th, 2021 began with a beautiful double rainbow, which we thought would be a sign to the last of our daily island rain. Instead it was an all day drenching. Nothing like some gloomy skies to process devastating news, right?! This was the day to celebrate Siboney and for me to find some peace about my dad situation. Our plans were also sure to be enough of a distraction for me as well. We had planned for Cinnamon Bay that day then onto a lovely new private resort for a lavish experience on Siboney’s happy day. By the time we arrived to Lovango Resort, the rain had decided to stay. Being the good crew from a sailboat, we did the next best thing and adjusted our sails. Who wouldn’t do just that? Take a look at the next few pictures and you can tell me if it is just too beautiful to let the rain get you down?! From the rains behind the hills, to the white sandy beach, cotton candy skies, and the window to the sea in Cinnamon Bay (Ventana al Mar Canela Bay), this day was filled with many gifts and blessings. Of course, spending a birthday with your mermaid soul sister, is the icing on the cake! (Pun absolutely intended!)

By now, you must be asking yourself exactly why this is about God’s sense of humor. You shall wait no longer….

Waking up to the gorgeous double rainbow definitely helped set the tone for the day. However, today was still not going to be easy in my mind. I had set the day up to be a bit bad that way I would be happy if it turned out wonderful. Also, this day was not wholly about me and I wanted to make sure that stayed in the forefront. However, I must admit that a certain level of sadness encompassed my heart and soul as unexpected memories besieged me. Some sent me into fits of laughter, while others caused me to search for a space to be alone.

Once we left Cinnamon Bay, which deserves its own post, we moored up to the Lovango Beach Club and Resort. The rain had begun to ease some, so we called for the dingy to take us ashore. Since it was Siboney’s birthday and raining, they gave us a covered cabana for our stay and our own server. Our server’s name was Jimmy and he was from Boston. Lovango was owned by the same people of Martha’s Vineyard. Due to the seasonal employment and the pandemic, they offered positions in paradise to some of their employees. I would work there in a New York minute!! It is stunning!

Here is where my laughter began and my attitude greatly shifted regarding my dad, bio-dad, and Heavenly Dad. My daddy’s name was Johnny but he was called Chico. Bio-dad’s name was….I will give you a moment to guess…yes it’s the same as our server!! It WAS JIMMY! My biological father’s name was James but he went by Jimmy. Upon hearing this particular name, I looked right at Sharon and proclaimed, “God definitely has a sense of humor!! And he wanted me enjoying this day with a smile!” So I had to talk to Jimmy all day on Chico’s birthday!! I am not sure either father would have appreciated the humor but I certainly did! Even now, as I type this post on the rainiest day of 2021 in Corpus Christi, TX, I cannot help but laugh again! If I had the time and the money, I think I would have liked to buy Jimmy from Boston a drink and share my story. Maybe next time I will do exactly that!

This post must be concluded with a little advice from me. This year has not been easy but it has offered and produced many blessings and gifts. If I had not allowed for attitude adjustments, perspective challenges, and kept an open heart I would have missed them all! Be very willing to ADJUST YOUR SAILS in this life whether you have difficult news or the best news of your life. Happiness and joy can be YOUR CHOICE!!! And I must admit, this is much easier to do in paradise!!

Until next time my friends, I am Abiding Still,

Rachele