Exquisitely told, Rebecca, as always. The lull of that calm sea and ease of the orcas becomes so fragile when you reveal this to be a story about endlings. I didn't know about the fate of your orcas and of so many around the world. Whales and dolphins as toxic casks, yes, but not the scale of loss now and to come. Thank you for the image of beauty amid the loss, and for helping us to not normalize the horror of it.
Ah Rebecca, this choked me up. It can be so bittersweet at times to sink into the beauty of these moments, these acts of witnessing beauty and life, when we know the angst of the other agonizing side of it. But it is so often in the very act of pausing to witness with the greatest love and humility that we may remember what, and who, we stand for. 🩵
I love the thought of Nott and Hulk hanging out together and, even though they are surrounded by seals, having no interest in a hunt, preferring instead the pleasure of each other’s company.
But heartbreaking to think of the damage we humans have caused.
It is difficult being an engaged and curious human but, I agree, that it can also be one of the most beautiful things too.
This doesn’t mean that we forget the pain, ruin and destruction in the world, but just that we allow ourselves to temporarily turn our attention elsewhere - allow ourselves the nourishment of contemplating beauty.
If we lived all the time looking only at pain, ruin and destruction, the capacity for joy in our hearts would surely shrivel and die.
Having just spent a day by the ocean myself, on a wild and rocky coast, watching whales and dolphins, I understand how it must have felt for you, on that luminous evening...
I really enjoyed the story of your visit to the coast and the Orcas. Amazing creatures. I would, if I can be so bold, change one word. From “great gulp of nothingness “ to great gulp of wonder.
How poignant - and such a wakeup call to humanity.
We are beginning to see Orcas close in now, around our Tasmanian coastline and I'm praying to the sea gods that they are safe and can breed. They are beautiful - terrifying but beautiful and like any creature on the earth, deserve their space and safety.
It's so hard to have any respect for much of the human race, isn't it?
Exquisitely told, Rebecca, as always. The lull of that calm sea and ease of the orcas becomes so fragile when you reveal this to be a story about endlings. I didn't know about the fate of your orcas and of so many around the world. Whales and dolphins as toxic casks, yes, but not the scale of loss now and to come. Thank you for the image of beauty amid the loss, and for helping us to not normalize the horror of it.
Ah Rebecca, this choked me up. It can be so bittersweet at times to sink into the beauty of these moments, these acts of witnessing beauty and life, when we know the angst of the other agonizing side of it. But it is so often in the very act of pausing to witness with the greatest love and humility that we may remember what, and who, we stand for. 🩵
Beautiful and haunting ... and hopeful 🌊🙏💙
Such beautiful evocation as always, Rebecca.
I love the thought of Nott and Hulk hanging out together and, even though they are surrounded by seals, having no interest in a hunt, preferring instead the pleasure of each other’s company.
But heartbreaking to think of the damage we humans have caused.
It is difficult being an engaged and curious human but, I agree, that it can also be one of the most beautiful things too.
This doesn’t mean that we forget the pain, ruin and destruction in the world, but just that we allow ourselves to temporarily turn our attention elsewhere - allow ourselves the nourishment of contemplating beauty.
If we lived all the time looking only at pain, ruin and destruction, the capacity for joy in our hearts would surely shrivel and die.
Having just spent a day by the ocean myself, on a wild and rocky coast, watching whales and dolphins, I understand how it must have felt for you, on that luminous evening...
Best wishes
Dave
I really enjoyed the story of your visit to the coast and the Orcas. Amazing creatures. I would, if I can be so bold, change one word. From “great gulp of nothingness “ to great gulp of wonder.
Thanks for your writing
Beautiful telling of the heartbreak and beautiful telling of the choice to carry on and keep living, keep looking. Thank you.
Please keep writing like this - some Sundays I can't manage one more reminder of the world's bittersweetness but still I find room.
That is so depressing and unforgivable. What can I do for the Orcas?
💜💜💜
How poignant - and such a wakeup call to humanity.
We are beginning to see Orcas close in now, around our Tasmanian coastline and I'm praying to the sea gods that they are safe and can breed. They are beautiful - terrifying but beautiful and like any creature on the earth, deserve their space and safety.
It's so hard to have any respect for much of the human race, isn't it?
Right now, Rebecca, in my sorrowing apology, all I can do is echo Jason’s words. And offer you my thanks.