The Whale

On December 14, 2005 a marine animal rescue team saved the life of a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines.
A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.
The rescue team 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.

One of the divers, James Moskito, said the whale was peaceful during the hour or so it took him and others to cut the ropes and there was a vibration coming from the whale the whole time. Moskito said that when the whale realized it was free it began swimming in circles.

"It felt to me like it was thanking us, knowing that it was free and that we had helped it," Moskito said., "It stopped about a foot away from me, pushed me around a little bit and had some fun." He said the whale nuzzled him, then swam to each of the other rescuers as well. 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, and nudged them, pushed gently around-she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

May you, and all those you love,
be so blessed and 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.

I pass this on to you, my friend, in the same spirit.

(Sent to me by Pam Budner ~ thanks Pam...)