Picture of the day - September 29, 2007

A very special Kailua-Kona sunrise

Photo courtesy of Karen Saunders. Sometimes a photograph is special not for its beauty, but what it means to the person who took it. Well, today's picture features an image of a sunrise that was very special indeed to photographer Karen Saunders, but not for the usual reasons - and the following is her moving story behind the image: "This picture was taken just last weekend in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii from the balcony of the Hotel I was staying at, The Outrigger Keahou Beach. To many this picture may seem like just any sunrise, but to me, it holds a very special meaning. My Mother passed away in her home in Kona on March 8, 2006 and within the same day, each of her children and grandchildren were able to be in Kona with my Dad. There are only 9 of us but we flew from San Diego, Galveston, Las Vegas and Vernon Hills, IL - all in the same day my Mother passed on to be with Dad. It sure meant a lot to him. On March 15, 2006 we spread her ashes at sea so "she could swim with her friends, the dolphins and the whales." Because I was able to fly a "red-eye" this last trip, this last weekend was my "first visit with Mom" since "we let her go" in March of last year. Although I live in San Diego, and can visit the Pacific Ocean everyday of my life, there's something deeply special about revisiting the exact place where I saw her last. The picture was taken, and that moment was Friday, September 21 at about 5:30am HST. On Sunday last my Father, Brother and I attended the 7:30 am service at The Christ Church Kealakekua where Mom's Service was held on March 15, 2006 as well. We have since dedicated a koa wood hand-rail to assist the parishioners to walk up the few stairs in the church to receive communion - an issue my Mother struggled with herself that last year of her life. All in all, this is just a picture. But to me, it represents the rising of, and revisiting with, my departed Mother. I hope you enjoy the photo as much as I do." Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"