In May of 2013 our mother passed away.  We were unable to have services immediately, so we waited a few months so that we could all be together.

In August, 2013, all “6K’s” (plus families) gathered at the beach the week before Mom’s services. One “K” was late in arriving, but, thankfully, he was able to rearrange his (unexpected) work schedule and make it.  We had a great time all together for the first time since, we think, roughly 1998. We know that Mom and Dad were with us in spirit and full of joy that we took the time and made the effort to all get together. Many years ago Mom confided in me that one of their (Mom’s and Dad’s) biggest fears was that we would all drift apart and never all get together after they were gone. I hope we remember that and that we continue to get together as often as we can — which is not easy since we live on two sides of the Earth!

The week after our beach trip we had Mom’s service.  Afterwards we had lunch with family and friends, then we went and had a family photo shoot.  Kim has doctored one photo that I present as the Rogue Wave Christmas greeting.  In the photo you will see the “6K’s” (in order: Kenny, Kerry, Kelly, Kim, Kevin, and Keith), along with six yellow roses.  Our Mom and five of the 6K’s were born in Texas, and Dad frequently gave Mom six “Yellow Roses of Texas”, so we had to have them at Mom’s service.

What a blessing that we were all able to get together and that we had these photos made.  Little did we know that “K5” would be gone just a few months later.

In closing, have a very Merry Christmas.  Hug your spouse and your children, and all of your other family members. Reach out to family you may not have seen in a long time. Get together with your family as often as you can.  Write a letter. Remember how much fun it is to receive personal snail mail? And, more than anything, remember to say “I love you”.  Little did I know that the last time I said that to Keith (at the end of a phone call like we always did), it would be The Last Time.

We love you, Keith.

-Kevin
-Kelly
-Kerry
-Kenny
*
-Kim

*It is so hard to skip Keith.

Keith’s “brother from another mother”, David Jones, will be handing out whistles at his Dove Hunting group on Monday.  Due to a snafu with our order of “Keith Sullivan Memorial” whistles, Whistles For Life donated their logo whistles for David to give away to all the dove hunters. What a great company to help us make this happen! The president of the company talked to me personally and requested that his warehouse overnight the Whistles to me so that they would be here on time. Please consider them for your whistle needs :).

We’ve also had the URL to the Rogue Wave printed in white so that it is easier to see.

Be safe, dove hunters!

For those who are interested, SAGA is “on the hard” in Beaufort, NC.

SAGA in Beaufort

But this is who she is and what she loves:

SAGA during a sunset sail during her journey home.

Setting Sail — Captain Kevin aboard SAGA as she begins her journey home.

SAGA….. under “partial” (jib only) sail.

Sandy Island,SC

Shameless reminder: We plan to continue the Whistle Project. Next year we are considering holding the event in the Beaufort area. We will gladly continue to accept donations to make this happen :). Donate $20 and we will send you a whistle.

It is the height of the summer boating season, so we want to remind you to always, always WEAR your whistle while you are on a watercraft! Or if you are walking across a campus or parking lot, carry them in your hand. Keep it handy if you are hunting or fishing or anywhere you may be alone and experience an emergency situation.

NOT here (deep in the bowels of your pocketbook or bookbag):

but HERE (in your hand, ready to use):

NOT here (hanging on a peg on your boat):

but HERE (on your person):

NOTE: These whistles do not float! So, if you plan to attach your whistle to a life jacket, you might elect to attach it with a lanyard so that you can get it to your mouth without completely detaching it from your life vest.

PLEASE… don’t let a Google search of your name have results like THESE!

OH, a shameless plug… We plan to continue holding whistle giveaways at some of Keith’s favorite ports of call. If you would like to donate towards the project, checks can be sent to: Kelly Wyatt, P.O. Box 4481, Emerald Isle NC, 28594

We are thinking that our next giveaway will be somewhere in NC in May, 2015.

We love you forever!

— The rest of the K’s (Kevin, Kelly, Kerry, Kenny and Kim)

A quick note to let you know that our whistle project made the paper

Here is a link to the article: Safety whistles handed out to start Safe Boating Week

We’ll post a summary of the event and pictures soon.

THANKS to everyone who donated money towards the whistles, the graphic artist who donated the artwork, and to everyone who listened to Keith’s story and accepted a whistle.

This is the flyer we will be handing out with the whistles tomorrow:

Ahoy, followers!

This weekend is the service project we are holding in memory of Captain Keith.

If you are in Georgetown, SC, please stop by and pick up a whistle… and promise us you will wear it! Here is an article that was published in the Georgetown Times describing what we are doing: Family of drowned boater hopes to save lives of others.

Hi, everyone, or, should I say something nautical like “Ahoy, mates!”?

Several members of my family and Keith’s “brother from another mother”, David, will be in Georgetown, SC on Saturday, May 17 during National Safe Boating Week to distribute survival whistles to boaters in the area.

We hope to see some of you there!

Kelly