tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post8422797384436386828..comments2024-03-07T07:13:46.929-08:00Comments on Abby's Blog: A Note from AbbyAbby Sunderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424860067055661332noreply@blogger.comBlogger1510125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-4175484855546081752010-07-01T02:11:47.669-07:002010-07-01T02:11:47.669-07:00Dear Abby,
I only heard of your great adventure t...Dear Abby,<br /><br />I only heard of your great adventure today and have been perusing your website for hours. Thank you for your tenacity, determination and perseverance that has brought you to this great and most memorable time in your life. You have much to be proud of. What an inspiration you are! What a great example you have shown to all people, young and old alike, of the importance of not listening to the opposing camp. You have set out and accomplished a grand event in your life. The ocean, as beautiful as she is, has a mind of her own. Although she took a great gift from you in Wild Eyes, she has given you back, so much more. Your love of the ocean and sailing is a priceless gift. How blessed you are to have been given this opportunity to follow your dreams at such a young age. Your parents should be highly commended for their support and wisdom that has allowed you the freedom to pursue this dream—with all the goals and setbacks that have become such an integral part of it and that continue to form your character. I had tears in my eyes hearing of your dismasting. But I also had deep joy, knowing that there are young people today like you to show future generations the way. Thank you for both. The media knows nothing of this quest for the truth of life and what is really important. With all my love in Christ to you, your brothers and sisters, and especially your parents. <br /> A Fellow Single-Handed SailorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-89024979850420226902010-06-30T16:25:35.566-07:002010-06-30T16:25:35.566-07:00My whole family including grandchildren are very h...My whole family including grandchildren are very happy that you are safe. We are all hoping that you learned from your voyage so you would be able to make the next one safer and successful. Best regards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-27616463009651083712010-06-29T19:18:22.777-07:002010-06-29T19:18:22.777-07:00People who criticize your parents are creepy, midd...People who criticize your parents are creepy, middle-class, mediocre jerks who don't understand the first thing about life. You have just had a great adventure that taught you all of those things that "safe, secure" creepy middle-class mediocre jerks NEVER learn. Independence, creativity, courage, rising above adversity. Diving into the unknown, the uncharted, the insecure, is what the soul yearns for and those who don't answer the call never learn to live. So they can go ahead and live their lives of quiet desperation. You have already lived more life than they ever will. You go girl!!!!!Caron Speasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-17147563061989999462010-06-26T07:49:09.789-07:002010-06-26T07:49:09.789-07:00Love you AbbyLove you AbbyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06666924760853134708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-77856376169905096372010-06-18T21:56:41.312-07:002010-06-18T21:56:41.312-07:00Hallo Abby,, Gratulation Für deine Weltumseglung...Hallo Abby,, Gratulation Für deine Weltumseglung,,auch wenns sie früher endete !! LG AUS ÖSTERREICH / AUSTRIA !!! ,, Sabine,,Sabine Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-9207129576426781142010-06-17T17:16:56.213-07:002010-06-17T17:16:56.213-07:00Hi Abby,
It's probably been said already but h...Hi Abby,<br />It's probably been said already but here's my two cents worth. You've certainly attained the record for most comments in a blog posting.<br />☺♥☺ HooRoo ☺♥☺magpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11466257259326614449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-65237836734748121892010-06-17T12:19:23.428-07:002010-06-17T12:19:23.428-07:00God Bless you Abbey and your family. I hope that ...God Bless you Abbey and your family. I hope that your next few months will not be too wild in crazy with the media and you will be able to enjoy your family and friends in private. So many people prayed for you and here you are safe and sound-thank God! While I would be terrified for my kids (or myself for that matter) to be out there-you and your family are not the same as we are...So, on that note-everyone will have their opinion but you are a very brave soul and you and wild eyes seemed to enjoy some good times. Cherish those moments, write that book and there will be many more adventures for you in the future I am sure. Stay Blessed and safe and enjoy your life.<br />Peace and Blessings<br />KeciaKecianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-74028059908861152372010-06-16T19:43:57.244-07:002010-06-16T19:43:57.244-07:00Abby and family..congratulations on your journey. ...Abby and family..congratulations on your journey. I hope someday to follow you once again in your endeavor. As far as the media and critics..don't let them get you down. It is sad how news stories are "created" today. Instead of commending efforts, they try to find the negative. Sad for them they can't see what a remarkable accomplishment this was and what a strong, supportive family you are. You ALL can be very proud!!! BRAVO to all of you and again, I look forward to your next attempt, Abby!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-39274910202896415372010-06-16T18:12:46.561-07:002010-06-16T18:12:46.561-07:00Ive been trying to think of who you look like all ...Ive been trying to think of who you look like all day for some reason you remind me of someone. And then it hit me! You remind me of Shawn Johnson the gymanst, like I dont know why but You look like her!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-65973667547611665802010-06-16T18:01:48.686-07:002010-06-16T18:01:48.686-07:00I like Bill O'rilley but I think its kinda mea...I like Bill O'rilley but I think its kinda mean that he said that about you on national news! I love both of yall! (meaning you and bill) :) <br />ROCK ON!:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-53494838982454299802010-06-16T08:24:20.781-07:002010-06-16T08:24:20.781-07:00Don't give up.Don't give up.Corey McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00638349398486301823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-63378276558792071822010-06-15T13:48:32.619-07:002010-06-15T13:48:32.619-07:00Dear Abby,
just found out from reading Talisker Bo...Dear Abby,<br />just found out from reading Talisker Boat about your ordeal. The main thing is, that you are safe, everything else is secondary.<br />I can imagine, how sad you must be, to not see Wild Eyes again, but even that is not as important, than being alive.<br />I admire your courage. Don't for one moment let the media upset you, no matter what they say.<br />I wish you good luck and will send thoughts of support, whenever I think of you,<br />Trudy, Austria/AustraliaTrudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519102782185099693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-10946539582500889612010-06-15T09:54:49.424-07:002010-06-15T09:54:49.424-07:00Abby: Just know that anyone who matters to you is ...Abby: Just know that anyone who matters to you is not believing the media lies and slants. That includes all of us strangers who understand the love of sailing and the love of loving anything good. The selfish, hateful media only loves themselves and their checkbooks. Ignore their lies. Most of us are!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-2716469453158541482010-06-15T09:15:41.448-07:002010-06-15T09:15:41.448-07:00You are so brave! Check out this very complimenta...You are so brave! Check out this very complimentary article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune that says what many of us out there are thinking: http://www.startribune.com/local/96344934.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyURebecca Benznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-38959390579240362592010-06-15T08:30:08.522-07:002010-06-15T08:30:08.522-07:00Hi Abby,
I think that you are a great teacher l...Hi Abby,<br /> I think that you are a great teacher like a Rabbi or a Budda. You challenge all of us supporter and critic alike to examine our own lives to meet the challenges of our day by exploring possibilities, taking risks when needed, and training ourselves to reach these goals with knowledge, personal streanght and courage. You inspire me tonot be so negative in my life and work for a better world for humanity and the species that we share the world with. Thank you Abby for sailing out of the box.Jacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-12069131482985751062010-06-15T01:28:03.613-07:002010-06-15T01:28:03.613-07:00I am so honored that you represent our country set...I am so honored that you represent our country setting out to break this world record. Facing this challenge is what we stand for as Americans. You are like representing us to win that Gold in Olympics by tackling this challenge. We may not have won the Gold, but it is the sport spirit that counts, for trying your best!<br /><br />Everyone should be cheering for you, and supporting you with all our heart, and be proud of what you did. It is so unimaginable that anyone would ever question your intention to be the best of the best.<br /><br />Thank you, Abby, for representing America, the land of the brave, as Jessica Watson had represented Australia to break that world record.<br /><br />We are so proud of you, and Jessica, for accomplishing all this at the age of 16, and show it to the world that you can...<br /><br />You are as famous as Jessica, if not more, from all the supports from all over the world, for weathering a storm like that. We love you...Nicoladiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06470061766391911013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-23093644697740397252010-06-14T22:00:42.979-07:002010-06-14T22:00:42.979-07:00Abby,
As a passionate sailor, I know you took ris...Abby, <br />As a passionate sailor, I know you took risks on this global adventure. Life is all about risks, which to avoid and which to take on. Storms come and go in life. It's how you deal with them and move on that makes a life story. You're doing great and sooo many of us are following your bravery with wonderment. Keep looking forward!<br /><br />Denny FranciscoDennis Francisconoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-28516108414398111672010-06-14T21:55:44.165-07:002010-06-14T21:55:44.165-07:00We are soo proud of you here in Dubai. To me peop...We are soo proud of you here in Dubai. To me people like you define the humanity. We are soooo glad that you are okay. I hope you write a book of your voyage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-14489809481611617762010-06-14T21:27:32.306-07:002010-06-14T21:27:32.306-07:00I smile every time I read the "age whine"...I smile every time I read the "age whine". It's not the age; it's the attitude and the experience. A friend's mother had an adventure (her term) in in a violent Wyoming snow/wind storm a year ago. Her daughter commented that it seemed scarry. Her mother replied, "Of course it was scarry - that's what made it an adventure. She's 70. It's not the age; it's the attitude. Keep adventuring. You may be the oldest solo circumnavigator with adventures all along the way.Wyomingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-75130027736334525502010-06-14T20:22:02.106-07:002010-06-14T20:22:02.106-07:00Abby, even though this happened I still have an in...Abby, even though this happened I still have an incredible amount of respect for you and everything you've done. I am so sorry about Wild Eyes, but I can tell that you will make it past this and still be the amazing sailor that everyone knows you are. Even the best fall down sometimes; you can do it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-88713689824661336582010-06-14T14:25:26.823-07:002010-06-14T14:25:26.823-07:00Abby congratulations on making it as far as you di...Abby congratulations on making it as far as you did. Don't worry about the critics. Only you and those who care about you know what's right for you. God bless you as you return home and pursue your dreams in the future.kjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-70072875250240262492010-06-14T14:04:17.494-07:002010-06-14T14:04:17.494-07:00As a mother of a 16 yr old, I was so relieved to h...As a mother of a 16 yr old, I was so relieved to hear that you were OK. I know the loss of Wild Eyes is difficult, but as many others have said, she did her job by taking the brunt of the storm and keeping you safe. Safe travels home, and I look forward to reading about your adventures in the years to come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-43448668012773894362010-06-14T12:04:41.684-07:002010-06-14T12:04:41.684-07:00Hey Abby,
I think it's fantastic that you'...Hey Abby,<br /><br />I think it's fantastic that you're ok, and it seems like it was quite an adventure. That being said, I think I agree with you on several points you make, and I'm uncertain on others because I don't have all the information and I don't really know where you stand on one issue.<br /><br />I don't believe your age had anything to do with the conditions of the ocean, and I don't think that anyone should criticize your parents for allowing you to go. If at sixteen, you're allowed to be a mom, file for emancipation, donate an organ, allow or refuse medical treatment, etc--you should be allowed to put yourself in whatever situations you choose. If those decisions are advised, or ill-advised, it makes sense to allow you to make those decisions yourself, so long as the consequences affect only you. That's the beauty of the freedoms and liberty we have.<br /><br />I read this article http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/spot-news/abby-sunderland-rescue-cost/ where they quote your mother as saying that your family couldn't afford the rescue attempt. I'm assuming this means that some type of insurance premium to cover this contingency wasn't paid, which means that Australian, French or US taxpayers have to pay to rescue you. I'm very glad they rescued you, but it seems unfair to have people who weren't involved in the decision to go be responsible for the consequences of the trip. That decision, not your decision to go on the trip, seems negligent. I haven't been in a car accident, but I'm still required legally to carry insurance.<br /><br />Again, I hope you can take this as respectful criticism. I'm very thankful that you were rescued, and I think the various agencies did their job in getting to you as quickly as possible. I'm just not comfortable with making the public as a whole (through taxes) responsible for the situations that an individual creates. (financial bailouts, oil cleanup, leisure sailing trips). It seems unfair in our current economic crisis, when public schools are underfunded to spend 300K on rescue costs that should have been accounted for during the planning of the trip. If you'd have raised a percentage of the money I'd imagine you could have found an insurance company/factor that would have taken the chance on you making it without need for a rescue and assumed that risk. Or you could have had another boat trailing you at all times like I saw earlier in the year when that other young sailor made his trip. Either way, you should have planned better. If you can take being called courageous for your actions under duress (and I think you were) you should also be able to take criticism for acting irresponsibly in your planning phases.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07719952429198848975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-66031544253531572422010-06-14T11:36:23.273-07:002010-06-14T11:36:23.273-07:00Wow, Abby! There are so many amazing comments here...Wow, Abby! There are so many amazing comments here for you! :) I'm very glad you're safe though I'm really sorry to hear your boat didn't fare so well.<br /><br />I'm also impressed and pleased you're not listening to hurtful things people are saying, as they really don't know what the hell they're talking about! You have a dream and you're going for it. You've got balls!! :) That's more than I can say about thousands and thousands of people.Christinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578399656308603032.post-34334865549656955242010-06-14T11:36:23.274-07:002010-06-14T11:36:23.274-07:00I guess that the press wouldn't have a problem...I guess that the press wouldn't have a problem with someone like me attempting an around-the-world trip - 33 years old with no sailing experience, yet they have a problem with a 16-year-old with years of experience. Don't let it get to you. They're just trying to sell newspapers. Notice that all of the headlines are of the form, "Is Abby Sunderland too young to attempt a solo trip around the world?" instead of "Abby Sunderland is too young to attempt a solo trip around the world!" They're not willing to take a stand on anything, and that's why you shouldn't be so concerned about them. You should be proud that you had the guts to try this. My wife and I have been talking about your trip and your story for months, and we're both on your side. Keep your chin up!<br />-Tim from Nashua,NHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com