Blink:
Candidly. I am getting drained staying informed about our toxic turvy world. The war in Ukraine, U.S. gun violence, the spike in hate crimes, the prolonged global pandemic. What is going on with humanity? Being a pragmatist, on a micro level, I still remain positive especially after this past Thursday.
Read On:
My mother passed away in April at 102-years and 3-months old. It was her dream to move on in the south of France and have her ashes scattered in the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. Last Thursday was a special day as I fulfilled her wish.
To make it happen, I made arrangements with the Les Sauveteurs (Lifeguards) en Mer in Cannes. I identified a captain who would take me out during his lunch hour to scatter my mother’s ashes. He needed a crew of four, thus went online for volunteers. Six people signed up. Ironically the Mediterranean was not shimmering last Thursday. It was pouring rain. The captain navigated the rescue boat to a location I had designated. When we arrived at the spot, the rain stopped and we conducted a brief ceremony. On the way back to the port, I asked those volunteers who spoke English why they signed up. Their reply: they enjoy helping people, especially someone who wanted to conduct a special ceremony. A truly amazing experience I shared with seven strangers further validating for me, despite what is going on in this world, there is still a bright side to humanity.
Smartketing 
Agree and now more horrid with dismantling of Roe Vs Wade which would have so upset our mom. But I have consistently been heartened by the presence of people you describe, strangers, that step to the plate with their hearts and remind us of the greater nature of our souls.
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So glad to see that you were able to fulfil your mother’s wishes. It was good of the rain gods to hit the pause button at the right moment. Kudos to those who volunteered to help.
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Jimmy very glad you were able to honor your mother’s wishes
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Truly an amazing woman! I was fortunate to get to know her and Jim. They were patrons of the movie theater where I worked and soon they became dear friends. We got to share a Christmas Eve at my home shortly before they moved to France. It is a very special memory for me and my family, especially my children. They were awed by Eleanor. I was so blessed to have met her and to call her a friend. I now am blessed to be able to stay in touch with Jim and to also call him my friend whom I miss, to hope see again in near future.
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Thank you. She thought you were the best.
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