It is not uncommon for people to ask where a person is from when they are trying to get to know them. It is usually polite to give a short answer which helps move the conversation along, making room for other questions to be asked and answered. When folks ask where I am from, I tend to get plenty of follow-up questions. So, I think it is about time for me to share my origin story.
The short answer is that I was born at sea, more specifically and most likely the Coral Sea. However, we were on course between then New Herbrides (now Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands where the Coral Sea meets the South Pacific Ocean. So there is a small chance I was born at ocean instead.
Now for the slightly longer story, which I promise it is worth reading, because I am sure you are already wondering how an infant was born at sea.
My father is Vale. His name means "brave" in Latin. My mother is Yara. Her name means "water lady" in Portuguese. Name meanings are important in my family as we feel a name really does describe and adds to who we are.
My parents did not want to chose a name for me before I was born. They had no way of knowing what I would be. They wanted to see what name fit me once I entered the world.
As our crew made their way back to Honaira to prepare for my arrival, Nature had other plans. We ran into a storm, early for typhoon season, that threw the Horizon completely off course. The rain struck from all sides and it was hard to tell what was ocean and what was sky. Mother couldn’t bear the intensity of the storm and the ship seemed like it would sink. Mother went into labor as the storm continued.
Then, Nature changed it's cruel tone. The storm began to dwindle and the ocean waves retreated. My brave father, mother and loyal crew helped bring me into this world just as the sun peeked from behind a heavy cloud as if wanting to witness my birth.
I was born but silent. My parents said I was as blue as the ocean. My father tried reviving me but I was limp. In a sheer moment of panic and desperation he held me by my ankles with one strong hand and dipped me headfirst into the salty ocean. He quickly pulled me out. He felt my body flinch in his hand and he dipped me in the water again. When he pulled me from the water the second time, I let out a cry that drowned out the squawking sea birds. My parents and the crew felt a rush of relief as Father passed me to Mother and she held me on her chest, trying to keep me warm.
Nothing and no one was dry for hours. When my father dunked me in the ocean, the blood and residue from my birth washed off which then attracted several hungry sharks who circled the boat, bumping it with their noses in frustration. My skin had turned from blue to a warm pink color. Mother and I were onto a healthy recovery despite our dangerous circumstances.
The Horizon's motor and mast were damaged in the storm but luckily we were only stranded at sea for two days. Our radio transmitter and navigation instruments worked. My family had a waterproof emergency kit on board to aid us. The kit contained two blankets, clean water, and canned food with an opener--very important. We also had some long oars stored along the inside edges of the boat.
After a few calculations, my father and the crew took turns rowing the boat where they anticipated a cluster of islands to be. Mother tended to my needs and used the the radio transmitter from time to time in hope of being found. Our S.O.S. was intercepted by a commercial fishing vessel named Phoebus and it came to our rescue.
By the time we boarded the Phoebus my parents were certain the most fitting name for me was Indigo, and here I am today as Indigo C. Beacon. In due time I will divulge what name belongs to the initial C. Until then, remember I have just revealed my first big adventure upon entering this world and I have had many other strange, mysterious and fantastic adventures I will be sharing soon.
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| Indigo C. Beacon - Copyright 2014 |
My parents owned a fishing boat called the Horizon. While on the Horizon my parents were not only expert fishers, they were also true explorers, amateur scientists, and most importantly dedicated parents.
It was November, 1979, and my parents and our small crew (Sydney, Walter and Javier) were traveling from the island Espiritu Santo of New Herbrides back to the Solomon Islands where they had a hut in a village near Honaira. They intended to stay there for a while when I arrived. |
| Photo courtesy of Michael Alford - All Rights Reserved |
My parents did not want to chose a name for me before I was born. They had no way of knowing what I would be. They wanted to see what name fit me once I entered the world.
As our crew made their way back to Honaira to prepare for my arrival, Nature had other plans. We ran into a storm, early for typhoon season, that threw the Horizon completely off course. The rain struck from all sides and it was hard to tell what was ocean and what was sky. Mother couldn’t bear the intensity of the storm and the ship seemed like it would sink. Mother went into labor as the storm continued.
Then, Nature changed it's cruel tone. The storm began to dwindle and the ocean waves retreated. My brave father, mother and loyal crew helped bring me into this world just as the sun peeked from behind a heavy cloud as if wanting to witness my birth.
I was born but silent. My parents said I was as blue as the ocean. My father tried reviving me but I was limp. In a sheer moment of panic and desperation he held me by my ankles with one strong hand and dipped me headfirst into the salty ocean. He quickly pulled me out. He felt my body flinch in his hand and he dipped me in the water again. When he pulled me from the water the second time, I let out a cry that drowned out the squawking sea birds. My parents and the crew felt a rush of relief as Father passed me to Mother and she held me on her chest, trying to keep me warm.
Nothing and no one was dry for hours. When my father dunked me in the ocean, the blood and residue from my birth washed off which then attracted several hungry sharks who circled the boat, bumping it with their noses in frustration. My skin had turned from blue to a warm pink color. Mother and I were onto a healthy recovery despite our dangerous circumstances.
The Horizon's motor and mast were damaged in the storm but luckily we were only stranded at sea for two days. Our radio transmitter and navigation instruments worked. My family had a waterproof emergency kit on board to aid us. The kit contained two blankets, clean water, and canned food with an opener--very important. We also had some long oars stored along the inside edges of the boat.
After a few calculations, my father and the crew took turns rowing the boat where they anticipated a cluster of islands to be. Mother tended to my needs and used the the radio transmitter from time to time in hope of being found. Our S.O.S. was intercepted by a commercial fishing vessel named Phoebus and it came to our rescue.
By the time we boarded the Phoebus my parents were certain the most fitting name for me was Indigo, and here I am today as Indigo C. Beacon. In due time I will divulge what name belongs to the initial C. Until then, remember I have just revealed my first big adventure upon entering this world and I have had many other strange, mysterious and fantastic adventures I will be sharing soon.
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