I want to thank Sarahbruner (as we spell it) for including this wonderful quote in her departure note. The entire note was rich of insights and mindful riddles, but this particular quote from Iron Mike literally hit me in the face.

In late October 2013 we had a special departure party in Williamsburg, New York (tank you Ashton!) to salute our friends before setting sail, including a special delegation of friends from Italy who travelled just for this special occasion. Every guest had to bring an envelope with a message for us, a sort of fan mail. The idea was to open the notes along the way, when we would feel sad or lonely or remembering our beloved people far away. Today we opened one after a long, long time, and we still have more to open. This means we have a lot of friends, and not so many lonely times.

The content of the envelopes we have opened so far is various. We found heartwarming messages, poems, drawings, pen-drive with music, maps, jokes, spices, books and even clams (a particular currency you can use on the sea, thanks Nina).

We keep this messages as a special treasure, they contain more than we expected when we launched the idea. They bring us colors when it’s grey, refreshment when it’s hot, warmth when it’s cold. They send us back a positive image when we need it, as a mirror that only enhances our qualities.

We would like to take advantage of this holiday time to say THANK YOU again and again to all our friends and family who supported us and continue to do so. Today we had once again the proof that you are there when we need it.

SEASON’S GREETINGS Y’ALL