To a Friend

Today I learned that a friend has left us all behind.  A year ago we were all in La Paz Mexico together, psyching ourselves up to cross the big water.  Mark owned a beautiful Westsail 32, wonderfully maintained and loved.  I remember he was reinsulating his fridge, adding a freezer I think.  He went on a dive trip around some of the outer bays.  He had a pal with him for a while, and I remember having dinner over on his boat and the two of them, both British had the most hilarious repitour between them.  We laughed and laughed all night.
But the memory that lasts was one of our last nights in town.  As always SEACOR hosted the party.  A big yacht was in town and had an all female crew.  Paul, of course, had no problems pulling "the birds" in.  It was, naturally, a toga party.  The punch was the standard affair.
Although I missed it I heard that Mark, by far and without question, had the finest entrance.  Why escapes me.  Perhaps someone will remind me.  But what I will always remember, of La Paz, of Mark, was his departure.
Every now and again when the guitars came out, Mark would pick one up and play a song.  His accent is hard to describe.  His syllables are harsh and jagged.  Perhaps there are many songs he should not sing in public.  However--he knew which sort suited him, and he could sing "the Bright Side of Life" like he was Burt in Mary Poppins.  It was uncanny.
So as that night was dwindling on, and Matt (whom bought Tilikum's boat) was entertaining all with his humor and panache on the guitar, as Mark was attempting a hushed escape, someone called for him to sing up his old standard.
But, willy as ever, he didn't turn back for the guitar, but reached for the oars.  And as he did, he struck up his tune.

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...

We all sat in silence as Mark slowly rowed away, singing his song, until we could just make him out in the distance.
Then he was gone.




Mark didn't leave with us that year.  Well, he left.  But he turned around with engine problems.  He left his boat for another year in La Paz.
This year, once again, he left.  We don't know why he didn't make it.  He was found dead in the bathroom, as his boat was washed onto a beach somewhere north of La Paz.


Here's to Mark, his family, and all who knew him.  May he find the Bright side of Life where ever he is.  He brightened ours. 
Our thanks and Our sorrow.

--
Jonah