This bell tolls for all the souls set free upon the sea.
That's what the memorial reads. We saw this memorial on our first visit to Homer, Alaska in the summer of 2009.
For some reason, the memorial touched me way back then. The message resonated. I thought that it was strangely comforting to think of souls being set free upon the sea, rather than dying, or being "lost at sea". I didn't realize that in 2013, the monument would have personal meaning to my family.
On July 4, 2013, we received the terrible news that a family friend was killed in a commercial fishing accident near Ninilchik, Alaska. Lewis was a friend and has been around one or more members of our family for 30 years. He is family. This is my attempt at a small tribute to a loyal friend.
We will visit the memorial while we are in Homer. We will visit it and we will smile when we remember Lewis.
Rest in peace, Lewis.
Your soul has been set free upon the sea.
Thank you for your friendship.
Photo from the memorial held in Lewis' home town.
Rest in peace, Lewis.
