Libations

 

Libations

Noel Laflin

7-16-21

Twenty of us stepped aboard a gleaming white vessel this warm, July morning; we all found places to stand or sit and talk as the boat quietly made its way through Newport Harbor, past the former home of The Duke, the old Pavilion, the Lido Ferry, whale watchers returning from the hunt, folks on paddleboards, and finally past the thousands of grey colored breakwater stones.

The pace was slow, deliberate, and the water smooth as glass.

We were paying final tribute to a friend, and everyone (crew and passengers alike) was pleased that the weather was being brilliantly cooperative.

At the appropriate point, the captain cut the engines, a prayer was said, and ashes were presented to the sea - all within distance of the man’s former childhood home just off the coast.

A brown pelican passed overhead.

Red roses were lovingly tossed off the bow.

The vessel then gracefully circled where ashes sunk and roses floated.

Filled champagne glasses magically appeared, distributed to young and old alike by the first mate.

A toast was raised to our honored friend and glasses were drained – some libations poured over the railing and into the sea itself.

We then headed back from whence we started.