Yesterday Ruby started the outboard motor. This accomplishment is no trivial matter. She is limited by both arm strength and arm length such that even when she is able to pull the cord, she cannot pull it far enough. Some of the other cruising families have push button starters for their dinghies and the kids are able to take the dinghy to visit friends all by themselves. It is like having the keys to the family car. So Ruby had been trying with an air of determination for several days to start ours. But after 20-30 she was exhausted and would announce that this was impossible.
When she finally got it, it was because she literally flung her body and landed on the metal seat which mounts athwartship (crosswise) where I happened to be seated. The look of astonishment, when she heard it purr to life was precious. She had crashed in a heap between the seat and the inflatable tube. If the landing hurt the pain was completely blocked by her emotional reaction to what she had accomplished.
She remains proud of her accomplishment. While she has only been able to repeat this feat once more, with similar body-flinging technique, she remains proud of her accomplishment, keeps working at it and confident she can gain consistency. She tells me she was motivated by just the desire to do it. Then she admits it will be good to be able to visit the other kids on her own.
