Erin's Heart
<BODY><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <EMBED SRC="sound/one.html" HIDDEN="TRUE" AUTOSTART="true" LOOP="2"><IMG SRC="file:///C|/Website/Master/master/graphics/spacer.gif" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1"> <BLOCKQUOTE><CENTER> <H1>Erin's Heart</H1></CENTER> <P>Today (November 13, 1998) is my daughter, Erin's, 8th birthday.</P> <P>After she was born, my Rotary Club became involved in a municipal project. We helped build the Maritime Memorial Park. It is the only park of its kind on the west coast of North America. Its purpose is to commemorate those who lost their lives at sea.</P> <P>The center piece of the park is a Japanese fishing boat. This boat has quite a story. It was found floating off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands in the late 50's. It was stored in various places until it came to one of the city's aldermen. He found the wife of the owner of the boat in Osawa, Japan, and told her that her husband's boat was here. Evidently he had left to go fishing one day and never returned. So they asked her permission to put the boat in the park. She told them that her husband was very proud of the boat and kept it in top condition. If they would restore it, they would have her permission. So they worked on the boat for three years, getting it back into shape.</P> <P>A native artist was commissioned to paint the story of the boat as a fund raising event. His painting showed in the native style the fisherman leaving Japan, dying at sea, the sea spirits guiding him to the Great Spirit, the boat floating across the ocean. They went over to Osawa and presented a copy of the painting to the widow. She was very moved, as in the Japanese tradition, someone lost at sea is forever lost. She said that night was the first night she had been at peace it over 30 years.</P> <P>The day of the opening of the park saw her, her family, the mayor of Osawa, and other Japanese dignitaries celebrate with us. It was a beautiful sunny day. In addition to the boat there were plaques of the building of Three Rock Lighthouse, treaties, and other historical events. They built two brick walls about 4 feet high. One for those who died at sea and one for those who loved the sea/died by the sea.</P> <P>Four months later, the winter gales had settled over Prince Rupert. The rain and wind were something to behold. I could hardly keep my feet. A good friend of mine came into the store with information he knew I wanted. It is finally here, he said. I went out into the storm to see for myself. </P> <P>Our home there was very close to the store. It was very dark when I arrived there, I told Lisa we are going out. I wouldn't tell her where. We bundled 2 year old John up. Soon we were standing in the downpour, in front of the brick wall for those who died by the sea. There was a new brick in the wall. </P> <CENTER> <P>Inscribed on it is:<BR> "Erin Elisabeth Paton<BR> Seven hours of Joy" </P></CENTER> <P>And the heavens added their tears to ours.</P><BR> <BR> <P>After I wrote this, my friend, Vivien, sent me the following:</P> <P>To Scott </P> <P><I>When somebody dies, a cloud turns into an angel, and flies up to tell God to put another flower on a pillow. A bird gives the message back to the world, and sings a silent prayer that makes the rain cry. People disappear, but they never really go away. The spirits up there put the sun to bed, wake up grass, and spin the earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you can see them dancing in a cloud during the day-time, when they're supposed to be sleeping. They paint the rain- bows and also the sunsets and make waves splash and tug at the tide. They toss shooting stars and listen to wishes. And when they sing wind- songs, they whisper to us, don't miss me too much. The view is nice and I'm doing just fine. - Ashley</I> </P> <P>Remembering with you the gift of Erin. Your very special angel girl love and blessings </P> <P>- Vivien </P></BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY>