I love to tell a story

During the Fall, most churches have pledge drives so they can set their next year's budget.  The theme for our church this year was based on an old hymn, " I love to tell the story."

If you have spent at least 10 minutes with me, you know it.

I love to tell a story!.

I'm a writer, right?

I have so many stories in my head and heart right now that I have difficulty deciding which to tell.

That's because it's Autumn and who doesn't have a lot of Holiday related stories? I have Halloween,  Thanksgiving, and Christmas stories.  I have Florida/Georgia weekend and those special days in both November and December when we celebrate the birth of some of my dearest family members and friends.

Which is my way of announcing a series of blogs "I love to tell A story"

October 31, 1997.

Rich Suhey had wanted a boat for a long time.  His mother passed in June of 1997 and with the sale of her house in New Jersey, Rich and his brother each received a small amount of money.   

He got serious about finding a boat. 

He scanned adds, we went to boat shows, and then one day he found what he was looking for.

And so it was that on Friday, October 31, 1997 we made our way to the Julington Creek Boat Sales and picked up the Manatee.

He was so excited.  Like a little boy.

Only thing was that he knew ALL THINGS ABOUT CARS and very little about boats.  And of course, you know that his first mate was much less knowledgeable than he was.

We made our way - under the Julington Creek bridge into the St Johns, under the Buckman and when we got the Fuller Warren, Rich said he thought we would stop and get gas.

That was an interesting time.  By now it was Happy Hour at River City Brewing and I was just sure everyone there was watching to see what we were doing.  

Rich never gave that one thought.  He clearly assumed that he was the Captain of his ship and in control

We had left Julington Creek at around 2:30; by now it was close to 6; darkness was setting in. And  I wasn't comfortable about docking the boat in Colonial Point where we both had condominiums.

There were no slips.

So we pulled up next to a boat we had seen docked there for weeks (never being moved).  Rich lowered the anchor and tied his boat to that one.

Oh, and did I mention that by now it was raining?

Eventually Rich would learn more about the boat, including the fact that he would have to get permission to dock it in a different place.  Our first time out, the boat's motor snagged a crab trap and that meant having it towed.  

I did learn to pilot it (who knew I could do that?) and, of course, my favorite day on the boat was on March 13 of the next year when I became Paula Huffingham Suhey.  And after he passed later than year, I sold the boat and shared the proceeds with our five children.

So the Manatee is just a memory.  And my story is not so much about the story of God's love and grace as the song our church's pledge campaign was based.

And yet - that time in my life was a gift from God.  Rich Suhey taught me so much about who I could be - and who I am in Christ.

And that's another story that I love to tell!