“Hark, now hear the sailors cry,
smell the sea, and feel the sky
let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic…”
~ Van Morrison
9 years ago, I decided that every year on my birthday weekend I wanted to journey to the ocean to spend time watching whales and embracing their gentle spirits.
My birthday falls on a difficult day in history and this has been the way I have chosen to celebrate my day while thinking of those who were lost, in a quiet way.
For numerous reasons, I told Ken that we could skip this year, but after reading this story, it reminded me of why I want to go every.single.year.
This is longer than my usual Friday Sparkle, but it touched my heart and spirit..
A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly 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.
They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
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.
May you 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."
This year we were treated with a visit from over 150 dolphins which we were told was very unusual this far north in the waters we were traveling. What a treat to see these beautiful animals jumping and swimming all around us!
We also spent time with the 2 whales above…a mother and her baby. It was fascinating to watch the baby nurse, coming up on one side of her mother and then the other for a long spell before they showed us their tails and went down for a deep dive.
It was a beautiful and extra sparkly day!
~
Tomorrow we are heading off to the marshes of Maine to kayak. It will probably be our last ocean visit of the year.
I'm always sad to reach this point in the season, but the ocean is forever unchanging and it will be there again for us next summer. I think this is why I love the ocean…it always just is.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
The Woolen Rabbit 
So gorgeous, I just love whales, and the ocean!
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You had a magical birthday, as it should be. May your last weekend at the ocean be as beautiful and magical as this. xoxo
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Sounds like an excellent way to spend your birthday…(it’s my mom’s birthday, too!)
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Deluding to wish you the Happiest of birthday weeks, and thank you so much for sharing that wonderful story. It was so good to read it again, this time with your pictures to add even more. Enjoy your time by the ocean!
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I’m very glad you didn’t skip your annual whale watch birthday tradition! That story is beautiful, thank you for sharing it. And thanks for being one of the people who helps me when I’m in a bind.
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Thanks so much for sharing–truly a gift–
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What a wonderful story Kim! So happynyoumwere able to have your day this year. 🙂
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What a wonderful birthday gift!
Did you see this whale in the ocean near Maine’s coast? How wonderful! I also love stories that end happily–especially when it concerns animals.
I hope you had a nice birthday.
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What a beautiful and inspirational and thoughtful way to celebrate your birthday each year. Magical. Full of sparkle. And a wonderful way to begin another trip around the sun. XO
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Ah shucks. This post made me cry…
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