Editor:
Re: Rare opportunity inhibited, June 19 letters.
It is not clear in his letter what exactly letter-writer Grant Humaniuk would have his children do if they were any closer to the beached whale while it was dying.
His children did get a valuable lesson that day. Everyone on the beach was privileged to experience firsthand a valuable lesson in life; to see people that are willing to stand up and protect those that are helpless to protect themselves, to honour and respect all living creatures.
I am thankful for the RCMP, Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society and, especially, for the members of Semiahmoo First Nation on hand to assist and ensure this noble creature was treated with dignity, and that the spirit of the whale was honoured.
Maybe it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, or maybe not. It all depends on the life path that you and your children choose. There are many paths and opportunities to learn about the oceans and the creatures and plants that live there and how to preserve this life force.
See the invitation from Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society published on the same page (Lesson’s from a young whale’s death, June 19). As well, if you took the time to learn the ways of our neighbours, Semiahmoo First Nation, you would learn even more. Maybe, if we all did our part, a tragedy such as this will not reoccur. And maybe, in your walk to learn about the oceans and become a steward to protect, an opportunity may arise where you are up close and personal with a living member of the whale family.
I have been blessed many times with these encounters.
If you still wonder why the area was cordoned off, think on the many possibilities:
• in my point of view, the whale was murdered, albeit accidently, and the crime scene had to be contained during the investigation;
• safety – if the whale rolled over and crushed one of your children, I don’t think you would be happy about that; and
• preserve the dignity in death this life form deserves.
Patricia Yavis, White Rock
