A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab trapsand lines.
She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that causedher to struggle to stay afloat.
She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a linetugging in her mouth.
A fisherman spotted her just east of the FaralonIslands(outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help.
Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her-a very dangerous proposition.One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, andpushed gently, thanking them.
Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye wasfollowing him the whole time,and he will never be the same. May you, and all those you love,be so fortunate... To be surrounded by peoplewho will help you get untangledfrom the things that are binding you.
And, may you always know the joyof giving and receiving gratitude.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Love truly,
Laugh uncontrollably... Never regret anything that made you smile
