Last night I returned from dining to my cabin. A warm nightlight shined down on fluffy linens, and covers folded back. There was a chocolate mint glowing on the pillow with a note saying, "Your captain and crew wish you a restful sleep. As you sleep I will steer you..." I slipped into warm pajamas and laid down. What a comfort knowing I could rest, and the captain would navigate us through the vast Pacific Ocean.
In the night I awoke to the ship in turbulence; the large Westerdam was shaking. I held the note and mint. It would be OK, my captain said he was awake and steering us through the turbulence. I laid back down and trusted. Yes, I slept...
In the morning I picked up another note from the captain, "Good morning, traveler, while you rested I steered you...Today I will lead you..."
This was a new dawning for this take-control workacoholic. While I slept, my captain steered us through miles of storm. I laughed. How foolish it would have been to run to his quarters in slippers and tell him how to navigate. How even more foolish to have stayed shivering through the night in worry. Yes, foolish indeed to even want to be my own navigator on this massive ocean. I clutched the mint. The boat jolted again. But this time I smiled, because I trusted who was in charge, and I couldn't wait to see the day's horizons...
(Sue Patzer)
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