Memory is an amazingly, wonderful human attribute. Memory keeps the beauty of St. Thomas in my soul through the cold, blistering, New York winters. I can recall at any moment the warmth, the sun, the people, the smell, the tranquil feeling that being on St. Thomas brings me. There are times when I don’t even have to recall the memories of the days that I have spent here. There are times when a short clip of something St. Thomas just invades my conscious mind. I’m certain that I’m smiling when this happens.

I remembered how the sun and heat felt stepping off the airplane; although this time there was a strong wind that blew the humidity away. Someone said it was 90 degrees. After spending the hottest, most humid summer on record in New York, stepping off the airplane was a beautiful experience. It was hot but not New York miserable! I remembered where the luggage carousel was as Gerie went off for the rental car. I remembered the directions through Charlotte Amalie to Bluebeard’s Beach Club.

I remembered the taste of The Delly Deck’s Western Omelet. The Delly Deck is our first stop on the way to the resort. Each year I sit in the booth and wait in anticipation for the waitress to bring my order. I worry each year that the recipe has changed or the chef has changed or even that they removed the omelet from the menu to replace it with some yuppie, no-fat, no-cholesterol, healthy fruity breakfast. I can recognize the shape and texture of the omelet when it arrives...so far, so good. A little pepper and the first bite. Oh! Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is indeed the best tasting Western Omelet in the world.

I remembered the sights and sounds as we drove to Bluebeard’s. I remembered the flowers that grow wild along the road. I remembered how gracefully pelicans fly an inch above the water. I remembered how high the Magnificent Frigate soars. I remember how cool and regal Iguanas are. When we were checking in I remembered from last year the family that was checking in with us. I remembered their 6 year old son. The Activities Director was there handing everyone a Rum-Fruit Juice drink and smiled at the young boy and asked him, “Do you remember me?” “Victoria” he announced after a moment’s thought. Memory is indeed a wonder!

There is however, one thing where memory fails. I’ve written about it. I’ve told all my friends about it. When asked what I love most about St. Thomas, it comes out of my mouth without a moment’s thought. The water! The magnificent Caribbean Sea! That deliciously warm, turquoise blue, Caribbean. One forgets the feeling of the Sea as it wraps around you like a warm blanket of love. It’s indescribable the sensations of floating so peacefully as the small waves lift you up and gently rock you to a place you’ve never been before. I swear that I’ll remember, but when I get out for a while and then go back in...there it is again that feeling that memory can’t possibly duplicate. God, do I love this island!!! It is my favorite place on the planet. I have two more weeks to build memories.

John