Saturday, January 12, 2008

Rescue of the Whale.......

This is an email that I received recently.............

The Whale
If you read the front page story of the SF Chronicle,

you would have read about a female humpback whale

who 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. She also had hundreds of yards of

line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line

tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the FarraloneIslands

(outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.

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.

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, and nudged them,

pushed gently around-she thanked 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, 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.



14 comments:

dot said...

What a beautiful story!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Betty, thanks for stopping by to see me. I know you have been busy the last few weeks. I'm trying to get back to normal too after the Holidys!

Beautiful music....

Rhoda

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I remember reading or hearing this amazing story and being touched by what the men said afterwards. I like your thoughts at the end: "....to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from things binding you...." Great analogy, having someone to help in those times is truly a blessing!

Thank you,

Katherine

TO BECOME said...

What a wonderful and very touching story. Thank you so much for sharing it. May you have a blessed weekend. connie from Texas

You certainly have my thanks for your care and prayers.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Wow, Betty. What an amazing story. What rewards we can reap by helping others! Sometimes that is the best "pay" anyone could ever receive. Thanks for the reminder!

~ Jillian

Sue said...

Betty,
What a beautiful story. Thank you for your encouraging words this morning.
Hugs,

Sue

Nora Lee said...

Betty, Thank you for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandra

Barbara said...

Such a good analogy.
We had a whale swim up the Thames a couple of years ago and it got stuck and disorientated. Hundreds of people went to see it. Unfortunatley all the efforts to rescue it failed as in the end it gave up and died. Very sad.

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Thanks for that wonderful story Betty. We humans have still so much to learn from our fellow creatures, great and small.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betty

What an incredible story. It is amazing to think that such a huge creature can be so gentle with her rescuers.

I remember the sad story of the whale that Barbara mentioned ~ it is lovely to hear of one that survived.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Marie x

Mary said...

Betty,

A powerful post. Thank you so much for sharing.

We returned from vacation on Friday night and I'm still playing catch up and trying to get organized.

Blessings,
Mary

Anonymous said...

What a great story.
This is my first time here at your blog. I was reading thru the older post and have to tell you I am so inspired by your artwork and your great finds. I was floored by the "faux marble" tabletop, I was sure it was the real thing. I really enjoyed my visit and I'll stop back again.
Thanks,
Teresa

savvycityfarmer said...

God and His creation...perfect down to the smallest detail....We worship you oh Lord for who you are and for choosing us as sons and daughters to be seated at your right hand.



you might enjoy peeking at my new "grandpuppy"

Naturegirl said...

I get so upset when I hear these stories and am overjoyed at this happy ending because many are not!
blessing to you and those that saved the whale! hugs NG