on a personal note:

This morning I awoke to something that shook me to my core.  I have never said that about anything in my adult life. I do not understand it but it has transformed into a life lesson for me. Through the magnificence of all things facebook, I was able to fall in love with a little sea lion  who was rescued on Thanksgiving day, 2010 in San Clemente. He had beached himself to prepare to die and was horribly dehydrated. The rescue center (Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach) named him appropriately, Cranberry.

cranberry after his rescue

 He quickly grew and became healthy, gaining weight and coming off tube feeding and onto fishies, even on warm days getting to swim in the outdoor pools. As new residents came in he always tried to get over the half wall to see what was all the excitement! My family quickly fell in love with his daily photos, progress and antics. We quickly made a list of the needs of the center for donation and began to schedule a trip (only 20-25 min away!) to meet Cranberry over our holiday break!

squeaky clean and so handsome!

Then So Cal was hit with a big storm, flooding all of Laguna Beach causing evacuations for all the residents to an LA marine center. Cranberry was moved in with a female who quickly became his friend, and I wondered when he would come home so we could meet.

I never got that chance this morning PMMC posted this update on their wall:

Pacific Marine Mammal Center "We are saddened over the loss of our sea lion Cranberry who passed away earlier this week. He suffered from an internal injury that was undetectable and his condition quickly deteriorated. We want to thank everyone that cared for him and made his final days peaceful." 17 hours ago.

Even though we never met, this animal tugged at my heart and reminded me I moved to this area to be a part of the marine life. Find a passion that is not dance...then volunteer. It is that important. I gave the center my word, Christmas day or not my young son and I would be there to clean up from the flood to bring everyone home.  They did not require outside help. Today I printed out my volunteer application for my annual commitment. Although I cant afford the gas to get there every week, I will make it happen Not getting the chance to meet Cranberry taught me a significant lesson about time....its wasting and people, animals and the environment need us...pick a cause and get on it.....

RIP my little love....

Please visit the website to offer financial support for the disaster, or if you are in the area, please donate items needed so the center can get back to business saving the seals of Orange County.

http://www.pacificmmc.org/news_events.html