That Place Where the Ocean Meets the Sky

Dear Diary,

You know how a story hits you on a different level? You hear it off the cuff, barely paying attention, but it somehow lodges itself into your subconscious and pops up years later. That's how you know it was meant to be heard by you.

My story was one of a ship. I had been sitting at my great-great-grandmother's funeral, in the back row with my cousins. We may have been eight or nine, so showing respect to the dead was something we didn't quite grasp. As we whispered to each other in harsh tones, dirty glares being shot in our direction, the pastor stood up front and began his solemn duty. Not much stuck with me… just the story about the boat. It’s crazy how one tale could have such an impact on my view of life and death.

"Death is like setting sail." He began. "The ship begins close to the shoreline, waiting for a gust of wind to take it further out to sea. Still close, the people on the shore wave their goodbyes as they watch the ship sail away. Some are sad and some just watch as the boat drifts into the distance. As the ship grows further away, picked up by the warm sea winds, a few people stay and watch as it parts. Soon enough, the ship has reached the horizon and even fewer have stayed on the shore. The ship is not but a distant memory. As it heads toward its destination, others are blessed by its arrival. When the ship docks it is greeted by so many others who have taken this same journey. Some, warmingly familiar. Those left behind gazing across the vast ocean are able to find comfort in knowing the ship has reached port safely. Even though the ship has gone, the image of its sails cresting the horizon will always be a parting gift to those the ship has left behind. Reminding them, that even though the sails have vanished, the journey has just begun.”

As a child, I chuckled a bit at the tale. Relating my dead grandma to a ship didn't make sense to me then. Today, on the day I bury my mother, I look upon this story with enlightenment. It has been hard. The cancer took my father first... a couple of years ago. Now my mom. Some days are tougher than others, but every day I remind myself of this story.

I guess this is my way of saying that I have found acceptance. My mother’s ship has set sail and will soon catch wind. I can still see it clear as day from the shoreline. As it begins its journey into deeper waters, it will begin to fade. I will continue to watch it as it disappears over the horizon and even then I will continue to watch that place where the ocean meets the sky, waiting for the day I see those familiar sails again. Until then I will find happiness knowing that her ship will reach its destination and join my father's. I will take comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain. I will find love amongst my wife and children and one day, I will also take that journey. I truly believe when I set sail, that our ships will be together once more. Until we can be together again, I will wait patiently.

Be seeing you where the ocean meets the sky,

Gracie