Above – The Chardonnay II off of Light House Point in Santa Cruz as we prepare to spread the ashes of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan Houghton who died in a plane crash on July 7, 2011. Photo by Sky Merritt.
Comment submitted by Derek regarding scattering of the ashes and I decided to include it as a blog post.
It was a foggy morning the sea was calm the water had a beautiful unusual emerald color, as we watched the Chardonnay II sail out of the harbor and toward us as we stood up on West Cliff by a dive flag with wonderful pictures of the Houghton family along the railing in front of us. The Chardonnay II came to a stop right out side the kelp bed at a rather flat Steamers Lane. We shared stories, some laughs and many tears. I had my marine radio tuned to 68 as did enough others when a beautiful heart felt poem was read from the ship and we could all hear it. The poem ended in tears on the boat and on the shore. We all watched in silence as the boat turned port side and the ashes were spread off the stern,the only sound to be heard were the sea lions on seal rock and one person in our group beautifully humming Somewhere Over The Rainbow. I watched the Chardonnay II sail toward Blacks point before it returned to the harbor. I didn’t want to leave somehow – this felt so final. Those of us in our AquaSafaris shirts seemed to gather around Doug’s van (we all new he always had cookies and sweets) we told some stories about David, DeDe, and the boys, and eventually parted ways. I listened to Brother Iz’s version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow as I drove home, it was almost to much.
Thanks for sharing, Derek.
Above – A shot of the crowd that had gathered onshore to tune to channel 68 and watch the scattering of the ashes. Thank you all for commemorating the family. Photo by Laura Perron.
Above – Clark Maki, Jon Gamble, and Forrest Cook. Surfers, loyal friends and devoted employees of David Houghton at A+ Environmental Solutions. Thank you all for commemorating the family. Photo by Laura Perron.
Above – Fellow diver and friend of the Houghton’s, Ron Perron as he and his wife Laura (also a good friend) watch the scattering of the ashes from a nearby sailboat with friends. Notice picture of the Houghton family to the lower right. Thank you all for commemorating the family. Photo by Laura Perron.
Thank you Laura for all your contributions. Thanks you John for all of your rapid updates. Thank you Derek for the beauty of your words and your dream. Thank you ALL who share in the preservation of the life and times of The Houghton Family. De De’s Aunt Dona
My bracelet came off this morning. I didn’t need it to remember my niece and her family, just needed it until I could find adequate comfort in their being gone. Thank you for sharing these moments on the Chardonnay II. Though I wasn’t there it is easy to find comfort knowing that they are where they belong now — returned to the sea. I mill miss them every day, but I also know time will relieve that pain that currently grips our hearts. Wherever they ARE, they have joined two of my children and I know they are safe in the arms of love. It’s what sustains us and it’s truly, what we live for.
It’s hard to accept that our friends are truly gone. I know that I need to accept it but the thought of not seeing them is hard and sharp and the void where their smile and laughter was is silent and dark. There has been so much love in the community (via the blog, the memorials, friends and their stories) but now that their ashes have been spread, I feel the real grieving has begun. I know they wouldn’t want me to stay in this murky sadness and so, in the spirit of the Houghtons, I am going to try to cultivate the spirit of love, of caring and giving, of joy and friendliness that made them who they were. I am going to try to grow the seeds of lightness and, like them, participate in life rather than sit on the sidelines. I am going to stop trying to understand why and try to move forward in a way that honors their legacy. Who knows, maybe we will take up diving and go in search of the Magical Creatures that surely were waiting for their ashes yesterday as they were so lovingly put into the Pacific.
Good-bye our dear, sweet friends! You are now where you belong and our hearts will rejoice with yours each time we enter the ocean. Watch over us as we dive into its endless beauty with you!
I came across this verse today in DeDe’s office and though many of you may already have heard it, I want to share it again!
THE PERSON AND THE STARFISH
During a sunrise walk, a person was seen dancing through the waves on the sand. Every now and then the person would bend over and pick up a starfish and toss it back into the ocean.
I asked the person why. He said “The tide is going out, if I don’t throw them in they will die.” I said “Since there were so many starfish laying on this huge beach, you can’t make a difference.”
Bending over picking up another starfish, the person stated, as he threw it into the ocean, “It made a difference for that one.”
The person’s actions represent something special in each of us, the ability to make a difference! Each of us has the power to help our friends (students) reach their goals.
Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.
This is what the Houghton family did, they made a difference in the lives of every person that was privileged to share even the smallest moment with them. They will always be remember for their caring, sharing and loving of life and all that comes with it. I love you and you difinently made a difference in me and my life! Til we meet again, I’ll try to live more by your examples. Love, Mom * Nana