Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
This video is a personal reflection.
On January 14, 2026, I laid Michael Clark to rest at sea off the coast of Manta, Ecuador. What you’re seeing is quiet b-roll from that morning, accompanied by my thoughts as I talk through the experience of loss, responsibility, and saying goodbye far from home.
Michael was a retired expat who came here looking for peace and a fresh start. His life ended far sooner than anyone expected, and in the final days I found myself carrying responsibilities I never imagined I would have to take on for another person.
This video is not about assigning blame or answering every question. It’s about honoring a life, acknowledging the emotional weight of end-of-life decisions, and closing a chapter that was painful, confusing, and deeply human.
I’m sharing this for my own closure, and to remember someone who mattered.
Thank you for watching.
Music - 'Tears In Rain' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This video is a personal reflection.
On January 14, 2026, I laid Michael Clark to rest at sea off the coast of Manta, Ecuador. What you’re seeing is quiet b-roll from that morning, accompanied by my thoughts as I talk through the experience of loss, responsibility, and saying goodbye far from home.
Michael was a retired expat who came here looking for peace and a fresh start. His life ended far sooner than anyone expected, and in the final days I found myself carrying responsibilities I never imagined I would have to take on for another person.
This video is not about assigning blame or answering every question. It’s about honoring a life, acknowledging the emotional weight of end-of-life decisions, and closing a chapter that was painful, confusing, and deeply human.
I’m sharing this for my own closure, and to remember someone who mattered.
Thank you for watching.
Music - 'Tears In Rain' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
