DAVE AND THE OCTOPUS

This was one of the most beautiful and exciting moments of my life. It was surreal, encountering this beautiful creature in his natural habitat. We were invading his world and yet he reluctantly accommodated us. I played with this beautiful octopus for maybe 20 minutes, caressing him, looking into (what I think were) his eyes, being amazed by his strength, beauty, and fragility.

We said goodbye to him and rose to the surface, some 40 feet above us. It had taken me several efforts to clear my ears enough to descend with my guide. He had to pinch my nose to clear my ears, because I can’t do that with my weak fingers. They pulled me back onto the boat, exhausted yet exhilarated. Two days later I am still awestruck!

I am all about the moments. That’s what we have in this one life that we know we have. Moments, wherever we can find them. As ALS continues to take things from me, and render me more and more helpless, I appreciate the moments that much more. Thank you @TeamGleason for giving me this one. I will treasure it all of the remaining days that I have.

Life is for living, and this was an amazing piece of that. It was worth every bit of the effort it took to get there.