At the start of summer, I was sitting on a lounge chair at the top deck of a major cruise liner, sipping an over-priced hot cocoa while writing in a journal on my iPad. Snow capped mountains and blue glaciers surrounds me. Its was a beautiful rare sunny day in what is usually a cloud covered part of the world. In the distance were sounds of laughter carried by the cool, crisp air. The whole scenario was like a dream, but I was awake. And I couldn’t help but wonder - what am I doing here?
Only weeks prior, my brother (my only sibling), who was a Black Hawk pilot was killed while deployed for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. My family suffered a sudden and great loss. And even though now time has passed, we still don’t know how to live on without him. In fact, my plans to travel the world has suddenly faltered as I continue to try and accept my new reality. The unrelenting pain of sorrow comes and goes, but it comes and goes everyday, with no end in sight. My focused world has changed to chaos.
So now I find myself here in the cold and narrow waterway passages of Alaska, on a luxury cruise, where surpringly I gained some peace. I am actually here with my parents for the purposes of trying to refocus our thoughts and appreciate the world once again. The irony is that this cruise was planned long before my brother died, but I think fate has planned it for us. It came just the right time when we needed it the most.
Cruises get a lot of bad raps, especially from long-term travelers like myself. And while I understand and sometimes agree the many reasons for disliking them, you must admit, without cruise liners visiting remote places like Alaska’s glaciers would otherwise be very difficult or extremely expensive.
Naysayers says that cruise liners ruin the natural beauty of a place by building terminals in remote areas. Also cruises provoke the wrong kind of tourism. And that hopping one port to another doesn’t allow you to really understand what you are visiting.
In spite of this, I have taken my first ever cruise and as a result I have come to appreciate the value in this kind of travel. Aside from transportation to unlikely places, there’s an abundance of great food on board, plus a selection of free entertainment, and the accommodations are included and packaged into one price. For my purposes here, I think its just perfect.
In the end, I got to see glaciers! This is especially significant because this is my first time seeing them in real life. And my photos, no matter how beautiful, will never truly give them any justice.
Though it was never my intention to be here, I’m happy to be lost in all this beauty. It has made me remember, that even with all the despair, the world is still a very beautiful place.
but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
-Douglas Adams
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A beautiful story and some gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing it all.
So gald you liked it. Well, thank you as well for looking.
Thank you very much to everyone for all your continued support. Your public and private messages have really humbled my heart. I totally appreciate it.
Oh, Sherry- I hope you and your family find the peace that you deserve. I can’t imagine the hardship and emotions that must be going through you all, but sending postivie thoughts and well wishes your way.
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Thanks, Jade! A lot of anger comes with grief (I think its one of those steps to dealing with it). So positivity is always welcome.
RT @Muzachan: “Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/yKRblF2d via @sichree23
Hey Sherry, it’s great to see you back! So sorry to hear about your loss – I can’t imagine what you must be going through. The photos in this post are simply stunning – I really hope to make it to Alaska at some point.
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Thanks, Reena. Alaska was as beautiful as I thought, but with less wildlife than I thought. Despite this, it was well worth it. So I say, go … soon!
“Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/7TDqQSxX via @sichree23
I am really sorry to hear about your loss Sherry; I can’t even imagine what you must be going through right now. But I am glad to hear that you managed to find at least some peace on the cruise, and it’s good that you are moving forward… and as always, gorgeous photos.
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Thanks! Taking photos of the beautiful world always soothes a restless soul. I’m making my way through Europe now, where I hope to find some further peace of mind.
“Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/e2CWfrBz via @sichree23
So so sorry for your loss, Sherry. Can’t imagine losing my brother, must be devastating. Nature soothes somewhat, doesn’ it, especially the tranquil cool of the Arctic. Beautiful photos!
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Yeah, somewhat. But its still difficult. At least now I’m doing the thing I usually love to do, which makes some days easier.
“Alaska’s Blue Ice” Alaska Cruise #photography via @sichree23 http://t.co/nkQzGuBA A touching post about loss and moving forward
It’s grate you took a moment to share my devastating story.
Gorgeous photos! You captured the rugged beauty here perfectly
Its really hard not to take great photos of such beautiful subjects.
“Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/RrRXpTkK via @sichree23
Beautiful“@Muzachan: “Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/bzQRo5fG via @sichree23”
It was beautiful up here, and each time I go.
Sherry,
Good to have you back. I was thinking of you and hoping you would be back soon. I’m so sorry for your loss and can’t even begin to imagine your pain. I’m glad that you were able to get a little bit of relief in Alaska. Nature can be very soothing.
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Indeed. Nature reminds me that life, no matter how beautiful, is a passage in which there is a beginning and an end. I’m learning to cherish the in between. Thank you for thinking of me.
Again, I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I’m happy to see that you were able to find some clarity and this cruise was good for you and your family. xoxo
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Thanks, girl! I’m glad you got me inspired to go to Cinque Terre. I’ll be there in a few days. Hopefully, more clarity comes my way.
What a great set of photos you have here for us.. Actually, I really want to try seeing them things personally.. It might not be possible but I hope someday I can..
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I hope someday you can see them, too.
RT @Muzachan: “Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/yKRblF2d via @sichree23
RT @Muzachan: “Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/yKRblF2d via @sichree23
“Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/yKRblF2d via @sichree23
We’ve missed you! Always so much smiles and warmth… This piece is so profound that I don’t even know what to say. I am so, so sorry for your loss. I’m very glad you were able to take this trip with your parents.
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Oh, Abby. Thank you for caring. Its great to be back doing what I love. I hope things will get better in time.
“Alaska’s Blue Ice” #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/hiDmMSxt via @sichree23
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Thank you for sharing your grief and your loss publicly and candidly … I know that cannot be easy to do. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your parents. I’m sure it meant the world to them to take such a trip with you.
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) recently posted..The Perfect 3-Day Weekend: Baltimore
Yes, its very difficult. It was such a public loss. New reporters have been hounding my family for weeks. Lots of articles were written, particularly locally. But now we are trying to deal with it somewhat as privately as possible. Though its been endearing to have public support. It was a great cruise.
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Alaska’s blue ice, a personal share from @sichree23 http://t.co/rk8HUgNz
Dear Sherry, I’m so sorry for your loss and I’m sure we all feel privileged that you’ve shared your thoughts with us. I had been wondering why you hadn’t posted for while. Your Alaska cruise sounds like a very positive experience, nature’s beauty can be very healing. Look after yourself x
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..All the colour of London’s Notting Hill Carnival
I have been gone for far too long.. I don’t typically share my personal tribulations on my site, other than my travel experiences, but I feel I had to explain why I’ve been absent. I’m so happy to be back on the road and remembering why I like it so much.
I am so very happy that you were able to find some peace after your tragic loss. I hope you and your family are doing better. And I know it will get easier to accept as the days go on. I love your photos of the glacier. So beautiful! The world is filled with other great things, even though its hard to see now.
Thanks, Mary. I hope to see many more of these beautiful things in the months ahead.
Sherry, I’m glad to see your blog updated again after such a longtime. There are no words to describe your pain and it’s very important you are dealing with it. Welcome back and hopefully we’ll meet soon!
Yeah, I’m trying. I think it was best that I leave the emotions and stress of my home and focus on myself far away. In Rome now, hoping to see you next week.
The photos u took were great. One day we can go to Alaska too..
It’ll be there waiting for you.
RT @sichree23: Don’t miss Alaska’s glaciers!They’re absolutely breathtaking!!! #Alaska #Cruise #photography http://t.co/Q4mxzVrt via @sichree23
I loved seeing blue ice in Patagonia – haven’t been to Alaska yet but it’s nice to know you can see it there too. It always looks so surreal!
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I’m going to land in Patagonia within the year. At least, I hope so. That’ll give me a chance to compare the two glacial sites.
You’ve returned with an inspiring and heartfelt piece, Sherry. My heart goes out to you and your family. It takes so much energy to grieve but it has to be done. Life is so interesting — the cruise was already planned as if someone knew your family would need something spectacular to refocus your energies.
I’ve only been on one cruise and despite my misgivings about them — and you’ve touched them all in your piece — i had a great time. Of course, it could be that the experience was heightened because I was with my family, no matter, we had a great time, we bonded and our family was strengthened afterwards.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Yes, the world is definitely still a beautiful place. Keep smiling.
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And I am too so glad to be back traveling, photographing, and writing about it. These past few months have been an emotional roller coaster. I was surprised also about how much I enjoyed the cruise; which was a hidden blessing during a very dark time for me. A lot of it was probably because I was with my family. I think your company strongly determines how these kinds of vacations turn out. Ultimately, I had a good time, despite it being a cruise. I’m glad I did it.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers.
Heartwarming story of finding life again through travel ~ “Alaska’s Blue Ice” http://t.co/rahd0kCx #Alaska #photog via @sichree23
Sherry, this is such a heartfelt post and I have to say…it is so good to have you back.
My hear goes out to you for the loss I your brother and it sounds like the Alaska trip was just what you and your parents needed to help with your grieving process.
I admire your strength and your courage and I hope that travel continues to help bring you peace.
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Thanks Cherina! I hope that travel does continues to give me some peace, too. I’m headed to Europe in a couple of days to get away. Everything has been a whirlwind and I need a change of scene. Its been really tough in so many ways. But I’m glad to be back, too. It gives me something different to focus on.
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