I am ch/dad....or chuck Cole from Paine Hollow in SOUTH wellfleet....I, too...can remember Sharyn...before the boys...and even "before Jan/Yawn!" (just!)....
We met Sharyn at the Congregational Church....about the time that Anne F. and I were finishing up and launching our small 22' Block Island Boat and heading out to the Islands(Caribbean) for a few years(1979-1983)...A year after Cedar was born in Tortola, B.V.I...... he returned to wellfleet-with his mom- for a short visit "back home" for his 1st birthday...his first Oysters...and his first steps....
If I remember the pictures that I saw upon their return to our little boat home...... Caleb was still "inside" at that July12th Birthday party..(when IS caleb's b'day...anyway??)..so that would qualify as "before Day #1"....Sharyn was radiant THEN as she is NOW....
Cedar Oceanus was almost 2yrs old in this photo!He lived aboard for his first two years!!!another tow-headed Fleetian!!
We returned to Wellfleet in 1983 and Cedar and Caleb have been best buds....ever since....
In 1985, Sharyn was an important part of our birthing team for Cedar's little sister....November Sky...Yurt-borne in the Hollow November 1st.... Sharyn watched over Cedar for the whole night...as his sister emerged....a Second MOM indeed....
and Yay! to Anne another Super-Mom of the Fleet
..our families were enmeshed and sharing the joys and challenges of parenting/Life...then ...as we are...differently...NOW !!
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part of my reason for my guest blog-appearance is to mention and celebrate the "dad-side" of the wellfleet equation...and fill it out for those "who are new" to our Wellfleet circles.....
Fleetians are families...often with Many "chapters" to their Lives....some, together....and some ...not so together....and sometimes re-togethered...if you know what I mean!!
as Sky so aptly put it..we are a wreath of many flavours....and one flavour that has been missing in our blog mix ..is that of the many many dads who have made our kids who they are...and indeed...Wellfleet the way it is...we have often been the strong and silent types(OK, I'm NOT the silent type!!) that have built and rocked the cradles.....carried the tummy packs....built the homes...the boats..the surfboards....indeed, the lives that have cradled the calebs and cedars and skys and kais and maxes....shayes and zacks and jonahs....Ryans and Kens...nicoles and mias ...etc...etc.... etc...of our little town.
Shaye's dad, Brian C. was the one who proposed a skateboard half-pipe to the Town selectman....he would design/model and build it--gratis!!....but/and the Town wasn't ready at the time!!....or Wentzl R.who has been there for the building and Re-building of the current skateboard park in recent years....Or Bruce who just 2 years ago launched his 35 foot catamaran...and is now, with patty C., sailing the Bahamas and Western Carribean aboard LILY ...in search of Life, fish, warm waters and more surf!!! or Jan who taught his kids how to surf...and ride BMX...climb ladders, roofs and trees...because it was fun....and necessary...and sometimes dangerous...and LIFE-filled....!!!
There are dozens of dads who have given that extra zest to their kids lives...and "been there" when our kids sometimes "came back to the ground" sometimes with bodies or egos bruised!!!! O-;
Here, my/our Big Boat project..this is the view from 45 feet off the deck of it's newest re-incarnation...(38 feet long....14feet wide...11 tons approx.!!Cedar/locust/ Oak and Pitch Pine)
there are dozens of dad/son....... dad/daughter...... dad/mom "expressions" such as this throughout Wellfleet...and indeed, in all of our families...where-ever WE are!!
Last January--Four Mile!! ...an hour before this picture was taken...Cedar had laid down his "performance sled tracks"...I laid mine down and an hour later....(at the stump Dump!!...now THAT was a run to remember!!!) ....I seriously injured my rotator cuff...and I could split no wood last winter.....Couldn't get into my wetsuit til MAY!!! YIKES!!!
will I sled again this winter???.....I can't wait!!!
Will I stop doing stuff that can be scary...absolutely NOT!!
It's not about being Fear-less...it's about facing your Fears....Dads are often about THAT....of course I am again preaching to the choir.....you all know dads that have "been there" in whatever fashion for their kids and families...and HERE I am celebrating All those dads.....and heck, we couldn't have BEEN dads without the Moms....Hail to all the "Super-moms" of Fleet!!!!....and dads , too!
Yes, it is Little Sunspirit's bowsprit -with Caleb atop it- that graces the Blog each and every day..over there to the right hand side of the page!!!What a smile on the lad's face!!!!
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Hey, Caleb......wanna have a launching next year??? before or After the wedding????
....hey you're ALLLL invited, too!!
thanks to Sharyn von Wellfleet and clan........light!ly....ch/dad -- of Cedar(26) and sky(21) and soleil(9 1/2)--
27 comments:
YOur one of a kind my friend. BRAVO.
xoxox,settie
Chuck, I've watched/listened/spoken to you over many, many years, and I must say you are one of the rare human beings I've ever known who is constantly true to himself - therefore is true to everyone else. thanks for being you.
thank you for your entry in the 'big green page'. here's to the dad's too! what a totally cool bunch of people you all are. i am blessed to have seen the signs for caleb that day in july, because i have learned of a small town, a tribe of wonderful people, who have come together for one of their own in a way that i never thougth possible!
keep on keepin on, caleb! i hope to meet you one day... soon!
amy in ct
Beautifully said Ch..
I was anticipating your words, as they are always true, and kind. Much thanks 2 you for all the peace, wisdom, and adventure you bring to the Beloved Fleet. Also, for being another special father/friend to us all! Love ya.. Happy Friday everyone.. rage/jig it up!! Smiles to Caleb & Sharyn!
It has now become quite obvious why your children that we have met on this blog are so wonderful.
You have a wonderful spirt ch/dad!
100 years ago when I worked at MCHC (Bruce Adamson days) I remember you and how you were always so full of life!
Thanks for being the guest blogger today, you have just added more insight to your lovely Fleet...
J
That was wonderful Chuck. Very insightful into the life of all the "Dads" in Fleet. I have one of those wonderful Dads as a husband, and I'm sure that my little Caleb will be a great person because of him. Dad's definately have a profound impact on their young, and the close friends of their young.
Thanks again Chuck! :)
~Nicole Miner
Thanks so much for sharing your perspective with all of us who have been following this journey! Fleetians sure are a great original bunch, and it's been a treat to get a glimpse further into life there for those of us who are not year round residents.
Your entry was great, it's very easy to see where you children get their gifts from! We've gotten to learn a lot about Sky, and a bit about Cedar too. You have raised quite the caring, well rounded, well spoken bunch! Such a refreshing change from lots of young people today who lean to a more self serving attitude.
Thanks for the post!
Lauren in CT
I wish I'd known what interesting people there are in that strange little town I've been passing through for 40 years.
So good to hear from one of the Dad's! While I have had the opportunity to meet many in the Wellfleet community, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you. Your words inspire and give us all another insight into the tribe that surrounds Caleb. Your pictures are beautiful! Thank you.
Chuck,
Great to see the vessel contruction moving forward again, and hear the dad's point of view.
I looked for the photo of Caleb on the right hand side of the page, but on my computer anyway it is at the bottom, right below the call for photos, and right above the blog archive. Great happy shot of Caleb!
Flo
Thanks, Chuck for the space you hold...for the awareness of letting yourself speak the truth as you know it...for being there/here.For me- Chuck has been a symbol of the possibilty of a world with peace for as long as I can remember. For those of us from the activist days of the 70's you make space for HOPE. Many Dads have helped in so many unspoken ways...thanks for giving them a voice and all you do each day.
yo chuck...friend...dad..activist... sailor...dj...hippie in the truest & BEST sense of the word.
love you. love each & every one of you.
how honored i am to know you & all you write about...altho i came along later, each of you has been SO important in my fleet life. great*full knowing you all are inspirations for my own growing boy.
and then there is solei...little budding beauty...of who much is expected...bcz she is such an inspiration already...i love to sing along with her singing along on your radio show.
hey, how about sky & solei doing a show together?
i'm rounding up all this love, rolling it into a ball & bouncing it to caleb.
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxx
thank you
Most Excellent Chuck...worth repeating that you are one of a kind...and that is unfortunate because you are so good.
As for "dads coverage," much appreciated and enjoyed. I would also love to see Jan P. have an entry...any chance?
What a wonderful texture this complex fabric you called 'fleet has. A great post Chuck!
Must say I was hoping to be hearing from the Dad contingent.
warm rainy day wishes of health to Caleb.
To quote a wise Fleetian: "Father's Day is the most confusing holiday for Wellfleet kids"
uh...by the way ...how is CALEB?
That was awesome, gives us strangers a different insight to this beautiful community. I only wish our small town was as closely bound as Fleet. It would make us (maybe) want to stay here. Our hearts belong on the cape. We are working real hard to make that dream become reality. Thanks for the entry. Have a great day.
Hope Caleb is doing well today !!!
Hey Chuck,
From one Fleetian Dad to another, great story and great pictures! I love the Four Mile winter scene....
Kevin
CALEB:
Hey buddy... I picked some angle cards for you for this weekend, knowing well you love Friday's, especially now that you have your lovely familia with you I am sure you will dig these ones.
*OPENNESS* BROTHERHOOD/SISTERHOOD* ABUNDANCE* & * CELEBRATION!!!! Love you brotha, we are with you ALL the way.
Where did the right hand side of the page go?
Dear Ch/Dad,
Oh what a wonderful person you are! Thank you so much for your contributions on this Blog. And you are right, the Dad's point of view is often strong and silent. Thank you for giving voice to it. Your love, kindness and wisdom shines through. Namaste'
Lesa
Hey, does anyone know how I can get some of that Caleb merchandise to Colorado? I'd love to make a purchase! Peace and Love to Yellowbeard and all.
-Shellie.
Fabulou blog! Thank you! All the love behind Caleb right now is incredible!
I was thinking the other day that the reason Caleb has all this love and support from so many people is that he took the time to love others. He treats everyone with respect and an open heart so he has accumulated everyone's love along the way. For instance, last year, before anyone could guess this would happen, Caleb could have said hi to you on the sidewalk in the center of town and now that person who he greeted could be one of his loyal followers. It's such a life lesson because maybe if we all took the time to know people, briefly or deeply, there would be a lot more love and friendliness in the world. Love and embrace everyday! Peace!
Wonderful perspective. Thank you. The picture and everything that was on the right side are all now at the bottom - maybe you've all found it by now.
I knew I had made the choice of Wellfleet as my "end years" home for good reason and it's all unfolding now - it's the people.
Thanks - I'll get to know you all eventually - I also knew that would take years, but that's OK.
Chuck,one of my first memories of you was when Evan came home all excited because you had gone over at recess and played frisbee at the school--very dadish! Ellen Webb
hey it is my dad who bought that spirit shoppe in the center of town that brought you kevin, john,
julie and kolleen
lets hear it for the boys!!!!!!!!!
blessings for all the dads!
Thanks so much for speaking up for the dads! Not much has been said (do we take it for granted they are always strong and silent???) on behalf of Jan and what he has been going through also.
Jan is proud of all three of his sons, he's just not as talkative about it.
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