HAIL SVEN! Steven Swenson March 13, 1967 – September 11, 2005

“With heart and hand I pledge you while I load my gun again, you will never be forgotten or the enemy forgiven, my good comrade.” ~ A.S.L.

“If my comrade doubts I laugh confidently
If my comrade sleeps I keep the watch for him
If my comrade falls I fight on for the both of us
Because to every warrior the gods have given a comrade.” ~ Song Of The Comrade, Blood Axis

“And I held the breath inside my lungs for days
And I saw myself as one of many waves
And when I knew I’d become the ocean’s slave
I just stayed.” ~ Waves by the Bahamas

I’m sitting here watching scenes of IRMA basically destroy my beloved SouthLand.  June 1st – December 1st is that time of the year on what I call The Hurricane Train.  It is the tradeoff.  With beauty there is always underlying horror.  Steven and I used to talk all the time about the love of the ocean and this balance.  It is not something that is contrived.  Mother Ocean gives and takes as she sees fit.

On this day the ocean took my comrade.

Freediving.

I finally got around to becoming bonafide certified in the art of freediving.  Something I promised I would do in discussions with him.

Everytime I see a huge set, a wisp of salt spray, or glint of light from the bottom of the ocean I think of his laugh.

Stay deep comrade, stay deep.