Italy
by Wanda Sorrell
NOTE FROM TERRI:
Wanda is the mother of Amy Sorrell, who was Danny's classroom aide in Alabama. Amy was also his in-home aide, but in truth, she is Danny's one true love, and I've learned that the two of them have been together for
many lifetimes. She's also one of my dearest friends in the world and a surrogate daughter to me. Here is Wanda's story:
In November of 2006, my husband, Richard, my best friend Angie Carden, and I went to visit various parts of Italy. It was always a personal goal of mine to go and see for myself just how amazing Italy's countryside was. Altogether we were there for 14 days and I carried Danny's ashes with me everywhere just trying to make sure I could find the perfect spot for him. I tried to let him speak to me and just tried to feel what his
spiritwas guiding me to do.I have to admit I got very attached to his ashes and really didn't want to let him go. So in the photos, you will notice my friend, Angie, beside me. She kept telling me that it was O.K. and that Danny wants to be free. I don't think I could have done it without her encouragement.The first photo was shot in the countryside (on the East of Venice). We were actually in a taxi and were leaving a castle that had once been occupied by mucks and priests. It was so peaceful and the water was so calming, I truly did not want to leave. So while we were driving, it came over me that this was the place for him!
I told the driver to stop and we all got out. It seemed to us that this was Danny telling us that he wanted to be here. So I opened my bag with his ashes in it, poured them into my hands and said a prayer for Danny's guidance, and then released him. The wind took him far out to the ocean.I stood there for a while and had a moment to myself. I felt really calm and at peace with myself for letting him go right there.
The next photo is in the city of Venice. I saw many people doing there own "services" for their loved ones and I decided that this would be another appropriate place to let Danny go. I stood over a bridge and once again needed Angie for comfort. We both counted to three and (this time I poured his ashes out of the bag) released him into the water. I saw his bone fragments literally sink all the way to the bottom. That is how clear the water was. We both cried and said together "Bye Danny." Angie never met Danny and the only things that she knows about Danny is through me and my daughter, Amy Sorrell.
We all loved Danny. Even people who never met him, he still finds a way to touch them.
That is what makes him an Angel.