Chaplain’s Corner: “Stay anchored in gratitude”

By Chaplain Eric D. Tucker, Great Lakes Cruising Club

Ahoy, GLCC family!

November has sailed in with brisk winds, frosty mornings, and the unmistakable smell of shrink-wrap in the air. Most of our boats are now sleeping soundly under their winter covers, looking like marshmallows lined up on the docks. For some of us, it’s a bittersweet time: we miss the hum of engines, the wind hitting the sails, the splash of the wake, and that feeling of freedom that comes from open water.

But November isn’t just the end of boating season. It’s the start of reflection season. It’s a chance to check our bearings, not just for our boats, but for ourselves. Gratitude is the compass that keeps us pointed in the right direction, even when the winds shift and the temperature drops.

When you think about it, gratitude and good boating have a lot in common:

• You can’t control the weather, but you can adjust your course.
• You can’t always choose the waves, but you can choose your attitude.
• And sometimes, the best journeys happen when you’re forced to slow down and see what’s around you.

So, as we roll into the season of Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate the calm after the storm. Be thankful for safe voyages, loyal crew, good marina friends, and yes, even the lessons learned from that one time you forgot to close the seacock. (We’ve all been there!)

Here’s your November “Captain’s Checklist:”

• Check your gratitude gauge. Low levels lead to choppy seas.
• Keep your lines of kindness untangled. A simple “thank you” can steady the deck for someone else.
• Plot a course for joy. Don’t just wait for next boating season; find small adventures now.

Remember: a grateful boater is a resilient boater. The storms may come, but if your heart stays anchored in thankfulness, you’ll never drift too far from safe harbor.

Here’s wishing you calm waters, warm homes, and full plates this November. And if anyone asks why your boat’s wrapped tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey—just tell them, “She’s hibernating for greatness.”

Keep your spirits afloat,

Chaplain Eric