Monday, May 12, 2014

"Déjà vu all over again"

Turn back the hands of time… On an absolutely beautiful Virgin Island day - May 26, 2012, a race started promptly at 8:00 am on Maho Beach, St John.  At 9:47:08 Towel Boy leaped to his feet and ran across hot white sand to greet an incoming swimmer with a dry towel. 


Janet his sweetie had finished!  She had kicked and pulled her way 3.5 miles in the beautiful cool blue sea, while Towel Boy looked for shelter from the sun.   Tom’s quick response allowed Janet to dry off immediately after departing the water. 

Following this draining morning, Janet decided to take a nap and relax, while Tom Towel Boy’s adrenaline from the stressful morning and his dehydration from waiting on a hot beach for over an hour and half made him seek a cold beer in the shade. 

The events of that day caused Tom to retire from his high visibility job as Towel Boy, while Janet has quietly kept up her routine of swimming most days of the week.  So much has happened since that swim day two years ago.  Tom and Janet’s daughter married in September of 2012.  Just a few short months later our son also married.  We have been blessed with one grandchild.  Our friends and travel buddies have moved (yes moved) to St John for an experimental year in paradise.  Lindsay Lohan for the most part has avoided the public eye, the NFL has its first openly gay football player, and Barbara Walters will retire at the end of the month.   It has just been crazy!  

I have been having visions and voices in my head for the last few months.  The beauty of the blue water, the sounds of the surf, and the rays of a golden sun has been calling … Towel Boy… Towel Boy… Take your sweetie to paradise… Ah you need a reason… let her swim.  No… No… that means I have to come out retirement! 


However, the voice in my head has won, and Towel Boy and his sweetie are returning for the swim next week.  Last time we asked for your financial support for a really good cause – The most beautiful National Park in the United States.   This time we decided not to hit our friends up for this amazing cause, but in reviewing what your donation would do, Towel Boy insisted we go public. 
 
The Friends of the National Park is the primary supporter on island of swim lessons for the children of St John.  After living in Puerto Rico many moons ago and being totally amazed by the number of children that did not know how to swim, Janet and I are strong supporters of any effort that does just that.  A child should not live on island and not know how to swim.  If you have the same feelings please consider supporting an organization that truly makes a difference – The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park 
 
Support Janet and her swim at:

Thank you for supporting Janet, and please follow along as Towel Boy hopes to repeat his support of a very special lady… his sweetie.  Please bookmark this link and follow on.  And remember comments are always welcomed.  
 
And I promise I will post more pictures and less words this time!
 
 
Thanks for your consideration!
 
Tom and Janet

5 comments:

  1. its like waiting for your favorite author's book to come out! Love your tales. Safe travels/swim. Let's get something on the books since this didn't happen. Love, Rum and Sugar

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    1. So wish you guys were going to be there with us.
      Janet and I need to head west we owe you a visit.

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  2. Can't wait to hear about your adventures!

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    1. Glad to take you along!
      Do you have any pre-race day recipes suggestions?
      For Towel Boy of Course :)

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