Thursday, December 11, 2008

Thanks

Sometimes I have to push my hope and effort forward even when I think I can't. In that spirit, though I've lost someone I love, I came across this story and decided it's time to share it:
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A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat.
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She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.
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A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help.
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Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her-- a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.
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They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
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When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.
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She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them.
Some say it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
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The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
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May you, all of those you love, be so fortunate...
To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.
And may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

9 comments:

  1. A wonderful and touching story!!! OT: I have sent you an explanatory e-mail about my last post, but the provider says that it is delayed and that I don't have to send it again. It is just an ordinary e-mail without pictures, but one way or the other it is very difficult for our providers ;-)

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  2. Inspiring story kj. The second post I've read this morning about being grateful for small mercies.

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  3. Oh how sweet! Thank you for this KJ ... hugs!

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  4. wieneke, no email yet but i'll be on the lookout for it.

    baino, you had quite a day!

    melissa, hugs to you too.

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  5. It is a beautiful story... but this selfless help is not happening a lot in our world....

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  6. i know sidney. all we can do is start with ourselves, which you do so selflessly. i thank you so much for your incredible work.

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  7. Sorry KJ, they sent my e-mail back with the remark that it cannot be delivered. Do you have another address where I can send it? This is mine: hkoppenaal@planet.nl

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  8. I never tire of this wonderful story! I saw it with pictures once. It really moved me. That reminds me of a quote that says something like, no act of kindness is wasted, no matter how small.

    Thanks for sharing :)

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  9. This is a beautiful story. I'm thinking of you and your loss. Many blessings, suki

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