Rest Peacefully
About 13 years ago, we lost both our grandfathers within 6 months of each other. Both losses were very hard on us, but we were fortunate enough to have such a great, supportive family and group of friends to help carry is through our time of need.
I was closer to my Papa (my Mom's father), because I grew up with him living 2 blocks away and we saw him a lot (My Grandpa & Grandma live(d) in New York so we didn't/don't see them as often). On my Mom's side of the family, our special place is their property out at Fox Island. Throughout the summer, we spend any available time out there relaxing, swimming and spending time with each other, while some, including my Nana live out there all summer long. I've grown up spending a lot of time out there and it's been my sanctuary. Several hundred feet down the beach from the house is the Big Rock,where me and my cousins have spent countless hours jumping off at high tide and just hanging out there. It was always so exciting when we were younger because we were often required to swim only in front of the house so our parents could watch us and when we were old enough we were allowed to walk or take our boats down to the Big Rock and swim, but not past that.
Unfortunately, in the last several days, an awful story has been playing itself out about a mother and son from Silverdale who have disappeared. The boy's body recently turned up on Fox Island just past the Big Rock. I was holding out hoping the story would have a happy ending and was very upset when I heard the little boy was found dead. Then, to find out that he was found just down from a place that holds such happy memories, just increased my sadness.
Following these feelings of sadness, my uncle sent out an email that really touched my heart. In it, it read:
I don't know about all of you but I felt haunted this week seeing the news about 8 year old Azriel's body found just past the Big Rock. (Amy--- a boy and his Mom went missing in Olympia where their car was located on a beach--he was found drowned on Fox Island a few days later.) It was hard to see such a sad news story taking place in a place I feel such joy. I worked at the beach today and kept thinking about Papa and Peter, (who I almost always think of when I work there) and about the day we spread Papa's ashes from the flotilla and how we drifted to that area. For some reason I kept picturing the three of them-Papa, Peter and the little boy. After my work was done I walked down and sat in the sun on the Big Rock. I looked up the hill and an eagle was sitting in a small tree halfway up the hill. He then flew down a few hundred feet toward the end of the island. I looked back toward our house and a second eagle was sitting in a big fir looking out over the water. I don't know what that means but I feel better picturing those two sentinels looking over that stretch of beach instead of the police and press. Love to you all
Two important things to note: Peter is my uncle who passed away when he was 21. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I know he spent many summers out at Fox Island growing up and it was as special to him as it is to the rest of us. The other - when my Papa passed away, we took tons of boats out with all of the family in them and we created a flotilla. We said our special words for our Papa and each had an opportunity to spread his ashes in the water. It was a peaceful way for us to say our goodbyes and spend a special afternoon with each other. During one of our family meals after that ceremony, we were talking about Papa when an eagle appeared and sat on top of our flagpole near our tables. At the time we were convinced that maybe it was Papa watching over us and joining us for brunch. Then, throughout the last 13 years, on many special occasions, an eagle has appeared nearby. I have become convinced that somehow, it's Papa's way of showing us he's with us. Reading this email from my uncle was heartwarming. And my Aunt followed up with an email saying: I wrapped my mind around the idea that if this all had to happen, he was blessed to end up on such a lovely, peaceful place which has such a history of family togetherness instead of never surfacing, or ending up in some "less lovely" place. I couldn't agree with her more. I would rather the story played out differently, but if it did have to turn out this way, he couldn't have ended up in a better place. And based on what my uncle saw, I know he's being watched out for by my Papa and uncle Peter.
Rest peacefully, Azriel.
I was closer to my Papa (my Mom's father), because I grew up with him living 2 blocks away and we saw him a lot (My Grandpa & Grandma live(d) in New York so we didn't/don't see them as often). On my Mom's side of the family, our special place is their property out at Fox Island. Throughout the summer, we spend any available time out there relaxing, swimming and spending time with each other, while some, including my Nana live out there all summer long. I've grown up spending a lot of time out there and it's been my sanctuary. Several hundred feet down the beach from the house is the Big Rock,where me and my cousins have spent countless hours jumping off at high tide and just hanging out there. It was always so exciting when we were younger because we were often required to swim only in front of the house so our parents could watch us and when we were old enough we were allowed to walk or take our boats down to the Big Rock and swim, but not past that.
Unfortunately, in the last several days, an awful story has been playing itself out about a mother and son from Silverdale who have disappeared. The boy's body recently turned up on Fox Island just past the Big Rock. I was holding out hoping the story would have a happy ending and was very upset when I heard the little boy was found dead. Then, to find out that he was found just down from a place that holds such happy memories, just increased my sadness.
Following these feelings of sadness, my uncle sent out an email that really touched my heart. In it, it read:
I don't know about all of you but I felt haunted this week seeing the news about 8 year old Azriel's body found just past the Big Rock. (Amy--- a boy and his Mom went missing in Olympia where their car was located on a beach--he was found drowned on Fox Island a few days later.) It was hard to see such a sad news story taking place in a place I feel such joy. I worked at the beach today and kept thinking about Papa and Peter, (who I almost always think of when I work there) and about the day we spread Papa's ashes from the flotilla and how we drifted to that area. For some reason I kept picturing the three of them-Papa, Peter and the little boy. After my work was done I walked down and sat in the sun on the Big Rock. I looked up the hill and an eagle was sitting in a small tree halfway up the hill. He then flew down a few hundred feet toward the end of the island. I looked back toward our house and a second eagle was sitting in a big fir looking out over the water. I don't know what that means but I feel better picturing those two sentinels looking over that stretch of beach instead of the police and press. Love to you all
Two important things to note: Peter is my uncle who passed away when he was 21. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I know he spent many summers out at Fox Island growing up and it was as special to him as it is to the rest of us. The other - when my Papa passed away, we took tons of boats out with all of the family in them and we created a flotilla. We said our special words for our Papa and each had an opportunity to spread his ashes in the water. It was a peaceful way for us to say our goodbyes and spend a special afternoon with each other. During one of our family meals after that ceremony, we were talking about Papa when an eagle appeared and sat on top of our flagpole near our tables. At the time we were convinced that maybe it was Papa watching over us and joining us for brunch. Then, throughout the last 13 years, on many special occasions, an eagle has appeared nearby. I have become convinced that somehow, it's Papa's way of showing us he's with us. Reading this email from my uncle was heartwarming. And my Aunt followed up with an email saying: I wrapped my mind around the idea that if this all had to happen, he was blessed to end up on such a lovely, peaceful place which has such a history of family togetherness instead of never surfacing, or ending up in some "less lovely" place. I couldn't agree with her more. I would rather the story played out differently, but if it did have to turn out this way, he couldn't have ended up in a better place. And based on what my uncle saw, I know he's being watched out for by my Papa and uncle Peter.
Rest peacefully, Azriel.