BARRY SPANIER
Guest Comments
Please feel free to comment on Barry's website, The Bare Chronicles, CSA, MauiSails or Lifehut. We always look forward to hearing from you.
Aloha,
Barry & Samantha
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To start off the comments....
For those of you who have read Barry's book, Dear Mom, The Bare Chronicles, Claudette Haener, Barry's wife and friend who built the Seminole with him and then sailed to Mexico and onto Hawaii with him, recently passed. She provided several pictures for The Bare Chronicles, so knew about it, however she didn't get to see the completion of the book. We would like to honor her at this time. Barry wrote a letter to her on January 8th, 2008 when she was hospitalized and dealing with her condition. She entered into rest August 9, 2009.
Dear Claudette,I know it's been a long time since we've talked. This is all about you. I want you to know that I'll never forget.....ever.
Those two cute girls I picked up hitchhiking.
Oatmeal and raisins under the bridge.
You climbing on my motorcycle with your bag.
Your enthusiasm for the crazy adventure.
Superdog.
How you loved Scuzz.
Cooking on the Coleman in the container.
Living in the hull and sweeping up shavings before bedtime.
Big Mike, Tony, Red, Whompus and all the others who loved us.
Getting the crabs.
Our first night floating.
How good you were on board.
How much you loved me when I didn't deserve it.
The Moron Block and Tackle Choir.
Your tattoo.
Seeing you with your foot palms on your head.
Riding the train to Tepic.
Christmas in Mexico
Sailing and living naked.
Living on fruits and nuts.
Laughing about things that could have been more serious.
You standing up to me in the middle of the Pacific after the sheets fouled the prop.
Weeks of downwind fun.
Approaching Maui in the giant squall, filling the cockpit.
Your extra fine vegetarian cooking.
Starlit nights, at anchor.
How you loved and still love my Mom.
Dealing with Malcolm.
The way you always just pitched in and got it done....sanding, painting (you were real good), and varnishing....even better.
How our friends loved you for making them laugh.
For doing what was in your heart and sticking to it.
For believing in me even when we had nothing and there didn't seem to be a way.
Your faith in the Holy Spirit to keep us together and healthy.
The Day you left.
Your giant heart that so many love.
I don't know where this is going or how it got to here, but I do know that Claudette Laura Fain dove in, stuck with the gangley hippie bum, did things that few will ever do, cared and loved, and had to go. My life has been greater for it and is filled with joyous memories of our time together.
It is quiet here in Hawaii....afternoon light, birds singing, dog is worn out, sleeping. It will rain soon and I like the sound as it pounds the roof.
I don't know much about what's going on sometimes. It is just life asking us to bear more and try to understand. Prayers and thoughts fly forth, life goes on all around. Time and space are just human fantasies. But I do know a thing.
I never forget you....ever. And I always pray you forgive me for everything I didn't do, and the things I did. I wish you aloha and say mahalo friend, wife, love Claudette. Bless you in your challenge and peace be in your life.
Tears and love,
Barry
Barry
