That was the question I thought I answered back on July of 2006, as I answered the question with a "yes".
My leap of faith began when I said yes and married the man I'd fallen in love with in the beginning of 2007. This jump would include a complete change of everything; from moving away from my home, my son, my friends and all that I'd worked for since being single for the past 20 some years. The funny or strange thing about fate is, I'd be moving back to a location I'd left as a teenager in 1972. Who knew right?
The powers that be seemed to know I'd be back, don't ask me how, they just knew.
I had been divorced for more than 20 yrs and thought I had tried just about everything on the dating scene. I tried family, friends and even had joined a multitude of on line dating services, you’ve all heard their famous ads on TV & radio.
Something caught my eye while surfing the net one afternoon and before I knew it, I was booked on a singles cruise. It was Jan 2005 and it had only been since Aug of 2002 that I had bought my house; needless to say money was not plentiful for me. The cruise line however offered to find anyone that needed a cabin mate to help split the cost. That bill fit me to a tee.
The cruise was scheduled for the Labor Day holiday and being I’d never cruised before I was asking everyone I knew questions. They were all very helpful even though a bit taken back by my announcement. “How could I possibly go by myself?” This was the question all my friends were asking, “wasn’t I scared”? I told them nope, not me!
When the cruise was about a month away, the web site in charge opened up a chat room for all who were on board for this singles event. I found that to be fun and exciting; talking to all these people who I was soon to meet. Most everyone posted photos so we could find each other once on the ship. I was lucky enough to meet one the nicest people in the world and she is now one of my very best friends! This was to be Lisa’s first cruise as well, she however opted to get a cabin my herself and we ended up and different decks of the ship.
Lisa and I began talking on the phone before the cruise and decided to hang with each other while on the cruise. This worked out great for both of us, we seemed to calm each other while having a grand time cruising and meeting people.
Our first stop happened to be in San Diego and low & behold another singles cruiser, Kirt had told everyone this was his home port . I hadn’t even planned to get off the ship since I had lived here before and moved away in Aug of 1972. Then Kirt announced at breakfast he was renting a car and would be tour guide for anyone who wanted to join him. Well hell, myself and 2 other ladies immediately volunteered. I thought why not, you only live once and I’ll just go where ever the others decided.
It so happened to be a beautiful day in San Diego and Kirt had gotten a white convertible for the day’s drive. I set up front and Freda and Lucy set in back. We ended up driving over to the Hotel Del Coronado and Lucy told us she had a picture of a ghost in the photo of her being there before. We all said “sure you do”. It is a grand place with wonderful history behind it, I recommend it for everyone.
Then it was on to the famous Gas Lamp district for some shopping for Freda. This as it turns out was to be the funniest thing about the day. You see, our tour guide and resident of San Diego got lost! Yes, he was lost and couldn’t find it to save him. Well to say he was frazzled is the least of it, he also had 3 women laughing and teasing him. This however seemed to please him immensely.
That was the beginning of our cruise. The end was in Ensanada and somehow we all ended up at the famous Papa’s N Beer. If you’ve been there, then no explanations are needed. As we all set around drinking and having a blast, another singles cruiser, Pat asked Kirt why he no longer drank. Kirt had already told us ladies he didn’t drink, but no of us had asked the “whys” of it.
I listened to Kirt tell his story while we all set there holding our cocktails. I had not heard anyone speak before like him about the misery of alcoholism. My first husband and one of my dearest aunts had been an alcoholic. I hung on every word he said. This was to be the beginning of the changes that were to come.
When it was time to disembark from the cruise we all said our good byes and promised to keep in touch. Lisa and I exchanged numbers and I knew we would keep in touch even though she lived in San Francisco and I lived in Phoenix.
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