I have been very fortunate to have had two wonderful wives. In another month, Nancy and I will have been married for 23 years. Before Nancy, I was married to Gail. Sadly, Gail died of breast cancer in her late 30's.

My very first trip to the BVI was with Gail in May of 1987. She was in the late stages of her cancer then. Even so, she was cheerful, vibrant, and lived every day to the fullest. Even with her I.V. medication catheter in place, we scuba'ed almost every day.

Our (Gail and my) daughter Lindsay spent this weekend with us. There were still some of Gail's personal belongings packed away here. Lindsay and I spent Saturday morning going through them so that Lindsay could take what she could back to St. Louis with her.

We came across Gail's journal from that first trip to the BVI in 1987. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Here it is, in Gail's own handwriting.











A transcribed copy is here.