Why We Named Our Boat Grace

Grace

Naming a boat can be a difficult decision.  No matter where you sail the name is painted on the stern or side for all to see.  So if you do something silly, or ‘not so smart’ everyone that sees you know who it is.  It is almost like having your name tattooed on your forehead.

When Pam and I named Grace we thought of many names.  In the end we decided on Grace for several reasons.  The word has many meanings:

1 a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

    b: a virtue coming from God

    c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

2 a: approval, favor <stayed in his good graces>

   b: a special favor: privilege <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling>

   c: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency

   d: a temporary exemption: reprieve

3 a: a charming or attractive trait or characteristic

    b: a pleasing appearance or effect: charm <all the grace of youth — John Buchan>

    c: ease and suppleness of movement or bearing

4 plural capitalized: three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty

5 a: musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura

6 a: the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful

But, There was another reason we named our sailboat Grace – This was my mother’s middle name.  Mom loved to travel.  Although she never got a chance to join us for a sail, she enjoyed hearing of our days out on the water.

We now carry a little teddy bear in her honor and in some way we have mom joining us in our adventure.  This teddy bear was given to her when she was in the hospital being treated for Acute Myeloid Leukemia by a young boy, Mathew McCue, of about seven years old that had recovered from his diagnosed leukemia.  

This little teddy bear meant a lot to mom and now to Pam and me.

Here is where I’m asking for your help….

Each summer Columbia Yacht Club sponsors a regatta to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Please join Pam and me and be part of our team ‘Sail on Grace’.  You can do this by making a tax deductible donation to help research cures for blood cancers.  Although we won’t be crossing the finish line this year, if you donate you will know you have joined us and many others in a race to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.

Please open this attached link to find out more and how you can make a donation.  You may need to copy this in your browser's address bar if the hyperlink does not work.

http://il.lcr.llsevent.org/ng/index.cfm/af2a69a/regPages/pledge/SAILONGRACE/

Thank you for your consideration.

Jeff