h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Friends. Some of you already know, but for those of you who don’t my dear F, my husband of 32 years, died yesterday morning. I am in the midst of planning a memorial service and I have a favor to ask of all of you.

A close friend and I had a brainstorming session about the service. We decided to release helium filled balloons at the end if the service with his name, date of birth, date of death, and a request that whoever finds the balloon to contact me at the library so we’d know how far they traveled.

Then this morning, over my second pot of coffee, I had an idea. There are some people who are important parts of his life who absolutely can’t travel to Missouri for the service. Wouldn’t it be nice, I thought, if they released a balloon at the same time we did. That would let them be a part of the service and give them a way of saying goodbye. I was thinking particularly about his daughter, grandchildren and his elderly brother and sisters – all living in Connecticut.

Then I thought how lovely it would be if balloons could be released in other places than Connecticut. I decided to ask if there is anyone here who lives near Braintree. That’s where he was stationed during WWII before being sent to France and Germany. And if so to implore you to buy a helium balloon, put his name on it, and release it at the same time approximately as we release the balloons here.

Ok. You know how ideas snowball. All of you keep asking if there is anything you can do for me. Would you be willing to buy (I’ll gladly reimburse you) a helium balloon and release it from your locations? I have friends on h2g2 from both US coasts and many locales in between; from Canada; from England; from Scotland; from Sweden; from Belgium, from Estonia; from New Zealand; from Australia. And probably places I haven’t thought of. South Africa!

The service will be on Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm – CST. The balloon release will be at 2:45. That will be 8:45 PM GMT. If you’re willing, please let me know and I’ll tell you what to write on the slip attached to the balloon. And if you could let me know that you’re participating, I’ll be able to announce the different locations the balloons will be flying from right before we release them.

I realize that you didn’t know F personally, but he was a wonderful man and such a free spirit. This is the sort of thing he would have gotten a kick out of. And it will mean a lot to me. Please.

There'll be one from Shropshire, H. It's the other side of the country from Braintree but I'll drive down to the old WWll airfield on the heath to send it off.
Waz

Where does one get helium filled balloons from btw... a party shop? Would they have a plain one I could write his details on? If so there'll be one going from Texas

And definitely one from Lincoln. I only wish I had time to get down to Roswell and let it go from there -- your F would have gotten a kick out of that, I suspect.

Hypatia, I did not know until this moment.
Bless your heart, I knew it was growing more difficult for F.


*ballons* What a great improvement on an already wonderful idea!
That is perfect for those that cannot be near

I will ask hubby (need his assist)hopefully we can do that here in Colorado too. If so ,one ballon will start from a mile high soar upwards.

*******************
For ease in finding the time;
Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm – CST.
The balloon release will be at 2:45.
That will be 8:45 PM GMT.

Some card shops,party , postal -mailing places and paper products stores have them.

We have paper/party warehouses and mid range gift-card shops that sell them. KMart or Wall mart used to I do not know about these days.

I just heard from Witty. She reminded me that helium balloons that come down over water are a danger to marine life. Being landlocked, I didn't take that into consideration. So, if you live close to the coast and feel the wind currents will blow the balloon out to sea, please don't release it. Perhaps you could tie it to a post and let it float for a few minutes. Then break it.

Gosho, yes, party supply stores. Type or write the message on a strip of paper and staple it around the balloon string so that the staple catches the string. The paper should say: Frank Oliveira 09/02/23-12/18/04 Flying Free

I have decided not to put a return address on them. Too much writing.

I'm trying to get inspired enough to write the eulogy.

Lil, F would have loved the Roswell idea. He had a great sense of humor.

Hi Abbi. Didn't see you there. I started typing then had an interruption. Thanks. And thanks Waz.

Hypatia
I'll join in. If the wind is to the sea I have to tie the balloon up though.

Hello Hypatia

Yup... there'll be one from Perthshire.

..and one from Djursland, Denmark. We live near the coast though so like at Hati's it depends on the wind whether I let it fly far.

A wonderfull idea.

idea!

There will be one balloon taking off from Stockholm (or just south of Stockholm actually, from Haninge to be specific), if I can get my hands on a helium-filled one (I've seen them on sale in the local mall on weekends, but I'm not sure about weekdays)

I live right on the coast so I won't be letting off a balloon but I will light a candle for F and say a prayer at 8.45pm on Wednesday night.

you are in my thoughts and prayers, Hypatia.

I will release one from Guildford, Surrey, Hyp.

It is a beautiful idea and perhpas will go a small way to helping you through the funeral too.

I'm surrounded by coastlines, so it will be a candle lit by me at 8:45pm GMT too.

Pimms
So there will be ballons rising free around the world and sparks of gentle light near the seas saying Frank is remembered.

I'm going to light a candle, too, Hyp. Do you think Frank would have a preference of scent? I have quite a variety available.

The candles afre a wonderful idea for those of you near the sea. And what a beautiful thought Pimms. I may steal it and use it at the service.

Witty, his favorite candle scent is vanilla. Sandlewood is his least favorite scent.

Thanks Wolfgang.

Hypatia,

I am too close to the coast and our normal West wind would blow a balloon that way.

Love your idea but must be content lighting a candle too.

Jazz

From (just NW of) Copenhagen, too

What a nice idea, Hyp!