Deep Peace

A 'Paddle-Out' was held for Greg Naile this past Sunday afternoon. It was the first time I have observed this special memorial which surfers hold in honor of one of their own who has passed away. This young man must have been very special judging from the large gathering of friends and family and surfers. It seemed especially true upon learning two thousand miles away in San Diego another Paddle-Out was being held simultaneously for Greg.


I returned to same location the next day to take photos of the high surf and noticed a few flowers still floating on the waves.


I wouldn't have thought camellias could tolerate prolonged exposure to salt water and salt air, but somehow a few did.

The words of an old poem came to mind and seemed appropriate:

"...Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you...."

~~ attributed to William Sharp (as Fiona Macleod)