Just saw this photo posted to Twitter by Natalie Greco of a memorial at Gas Works, where people were putting candles in balloons and setting them afloat. She says she’s not sure what the memorial is for, but “People were calling out names as they released them. Then clapping as they flew off.”
Beautiful. Anyone know more?
Update: Nicole found that the Japanese lantern ceremony was for a man named Luke, who passed away from cancer this past Monday. There is a very beautiful and touching memorial post from his partner at DiagnosisHope.
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Today is transgender remembrance day, maybe this is related to that?
My friend and I saw this as we went out to go to the store. We thought perhaps we were seeing a UFO, the lights were beautiful and floating in the sky so daintly.. it was eerie. Thanks for enlightening the situation!
That’s a lovely idea, but are these ordinary, latex balloons? Balloons that could float out over Lake Union, pop, land in the water and end up in the stomach of some innocent water fowl? I certainly hope not….
@Luna, I doubt it. Remember, there’s a candle there, which would melt the balloon. I’ve seen this done with paper bags, which catch the hot updraft and float. Balloon was probably the wrong word, but all I had to go on from the quote.
MyWallingford has the scoop.
“They were released, we learned, in a memorial to Luke Dorsey, who died on Monday, November 15, after fighting bladder cancer.”
Thanks Wally. That makes sense–and is a relief.
I just read the memorial his partner wrote. It’s SO moving, I cried and felt my heart break a little too. What a beautiful tribute–and so potent to know of love like that in the world.
Thank you for making my life richer by sharing this….