Rear View Mirror - Reactions to "We're Going Cruising"

2009 aboard s/v Gratitude

3-7-13
It has been very interesting to witness all the various reactions to the news we are going cruising.  Almost 99% go "Wow."  With some people it stops there but with others we can quite literally see the questions and confusion spinning in their head.  Many, many others go on to say "That is wonderful.  We wish you the best" and then ask us questions related to our plans.  Quite a few others simply say "Wow, that is great.  Good for you."  and then go on to change the topic rather immediately to something completely unrelated.  A few people start in telling us all about the dangers they have read or heard about, perhaps hinting that we should rethink our plans.  Interestingly this is usually from fellow sailors but not ones that have cruised.  One suggested "It won't last, you'll be back soon."  And finally, one we discovered had alternatives motives in his suggestions that would ultimately help him and not us so much.  Reactions are reactions, it's just fascinating to observe.

2008 s/v Kalo off Anguilla

And then there is the derma doctor.  When Tom told his dermatologist what we were doing and asked him for any advice or suggestions that we could use in our new life, his derma doc said simply "Don't go.  My advice is don't go, stay home and out of the sun."  OMG!  Really?  I get the dangers of the sun and all but "Don't go" that is his solution?  I realize the sun is dangerous but so is driving to his office.  So the alternative is to cancel our plans for the next phase of life;  all the planning, saving, studying/learning, consolidating we have done...all the excitement of new places/people/music/food....forget all that and continue along the current, normal, prescribed "safe" path of life and all the STRESS that comes with "the norm" and then die an early death from some stress related disease.  No thanks doc. Life IS a risk.  We weigh the options and consequences, pick our path and go, making adjustments as we journey along.  This is life, ultimately no ones gets out alive.  *Three days later I saw my general doc - he was super excited and encouraging.  "Are you finally going?  Haven't you been planning this for a long time?  Where are you going first?" and on and on.
4-9-13
I picked up my business line today and heard "F- Ing AWESOME!  That is just F-Ing Awesome!"  Those are the first words a fellow co-worker said to me.  He was calling to congratulated me on my announcement that I resigned from work and we are setting sail.  It made me giggle.  Still does.  Tons of well wishes poured in from people I work with - so nice.  
Fellow cruisers or those that have been cruising are some of our strongest supporters - thank you so much for the encouragement, suggests and enthusiasm.