Over the years, many memorable moments took place while on a Rhode Island Ash Burial.  However there is one particular incident that still raises the hair on my arms when I recall the day.  It was late afternoon when the sky and sea conditions started taking a turn for the worse.  Cloud cover was solid with rain beginning to fall, and the wind was increasing.  The group requested a location which was going to take about an hour to reach.  Through experience, I knew with the travel time required to reach this site and with current weather conditions, we would not have a dry and comfortable ash burial.  I suggested we stop short and begin the service.  The group agreed with me, and the ceremony began.

As soon as I stopped the boat and climbed down the ladder, it appeared the sky to the west was brightening.  Within a minute or two, a small window in the clouds began to open.   Sunshine beamed upon us.  The rain, which only moments ago fell, tapered off to almost nothing.   We began the ash burial ceremony that continued for approximately 12 minutes.  During the entire service, without any rain, the sun continued to expose its light.  As we placed the final roses in the water and completed the second circle around the dispersal site, the sun began to disappear.  Within seconds of the end of the ceremony, the sun vanished behind the clouds.   The small window providing us with this incredible experience now filled with cloud cover. 

The group, as well as myself, were speechless.  I asked the priest who conducted the service if he thought we experienced some kind of sign from above.   He said he would leave that conclusion up to me.  We continued home with rain falling and the wind blowing.  To this day, I believe we all experienced a small miraculous miracle.