We had been at the off-leash dog park, my rambunctious pup and I. He’d had a good series of gallops, so I was feeling guilt-free that I had a bunch of quiet time, for him, of online tasks to do when we got home and practice for the open mic I planned on going to.
As I crested the top of the dramatic Keystone Hill Road and headed down the 11% grade, I could see the beach in the distance ahead of me. Ah, a walk on the beach, pick up some more white rocks for my garden bed, and listen to the waves swooshing in.
Nope, my do-it brain said, I had things to do. Yet a calling inside me beckoned: it is early yet, the beach is right here, Pup is happy now. Go to the beach.
So I did.
The tide was in, which left a narrow path of beach rocks between the wall of driftwood and the incoming waves. Within a few steps along the beach, I saw a long-lived sea shell there among the rocks and picked it up. What a gift!
Finding sea shells was always special when I was a kid with my folks and my Grandmere as we walked the Mukilteo or Kalaloch Beach.
What stories could this shell tell? It had clearly been up down, and all around for quite some time.
Recently, I heard Karl Olsen of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland sing “Christmas in the Trenches.” Went right into my heart. His excellent voice and rendition of this song, written by John McCutcheon. An event on Christmas, 1914 that I believe we need to remember and explore. To hear John talk about it a bit then sing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxqJlnH2m8
My grandfather was stationed in eastern France during World War I, which is part of the impetus for the novel I am currently working on. His being there is how this part of my family got here, how where I am and who I am came to be. Oh, to talk with him now.
Walking along the beach, the waves washing up over my boots a few times as I reach down for those white rocks calling to me. I find another shell! How cool is that? Enjoying the walk as I balance myself on the unsteady rocks, hear the waves swish up to me, and keep seeing ‘one more’ white rock in front of me. Then I spot another shell! Woo-hoo! What a remarkable day this is.
Seems about time to head back to the car. I am nearing the logs and driftwood to climb over and there is a fourth shell! Indeed, this is a day to be remembered! Hi Mom. Hi Grandpa! Hi Grandmere (my mom’s mother)!
Indeed, I hold these shells wondering where they’ve been, what beaches have they seen and washed up upon, what creatures and how many lived in them. And what they would tell me if they could.
How fortunate that I listened to my inner voice. I am blessed indeed.
A wondrous, health-filled 2024 to you. Thank you for reading.
Pat Moore
December 31, 2023 at 3:50 pmWhat a wonderful reminder that some of the best moments are unplanned and that willingness to follow an unscripted path often has unexpected value . Well done .
Mary
December 31, 2023 at 3:58 pmMerci beaucoup~~
Gayle Helseth-Kenison
December 31, 2023 at 5:20 pmThank you, Mary! This is lovely! Happy New Year to you, my friend!
Mary
December 31, 2023 at 5:55 pmAnd to you, Gay~~
Judith Alexander
December 31, 2023 at 6:25 pmThank you — a reminder to slow down and pay attention.
Happy New Year to you, too, filled with health and happiness, creativity and creature comforts, fulfillment and fun.
Mary
December 31, 2023 at 7:53 pmBest to you, Judith, Ms.Excellent Storyteller~
Cindy Shannon
December 31, 2023 at 8:30 pmI felt like I was there with you coming down Keystone Hill! You will inspire me to go for it next time I should be impulsive! Happy new year and thank you, Mary!
Mary
December 31, 2023 at 9:03 pmMerci bien, Cindy. You so know the hill. Warmest to you three~~
Judy Ridge
December 31, 2023 at 9:30 pmIām so happy you decided to take a walk. Look at all you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year to a great neighbor and friend.
Mary
January 1, 2024 at 12:21 amAh… Happy New Year to you, great neighbor and friend. Thank you. Throw some snowballs~~
Julee Raymond
January 1, 2024 at 4:55 pmDo you remember when Kathy, Grandmere, Mama and of course us spent the day at Mukilteo and your Grandma told me to dig in the sand to find the small shells. She was so right! Found scads of teeney, tiny shells by just scooping the rocks back with our hands. It was magical.
Mary
January 2, 2024 at 1:36 pmOh my gosh, Jule! Now I do. And you had your triangle scarf on! You are magical! Aloha~~
Lynda Condon
January 2, 2024 at 6:14 amThe Holy Spirit whispers and our Guardian Angel nudges…if we’re aware. They know our heart’s desire and when we follow we find peace. Happy Blessed New Year. Mary !
Mary
January 2, 2024 at 1:37 pmBlessings upon you and Rick, Lynda. Yes, thank you so much.
Donna M Rudiger
January 3, 2024 at 6:30 amThank you for this encouraging snapshot of your day in early 2024. I appreciated having the link to “Christmas in the Trenches”….it’s been awhile since I heard that song and I enjoyed the hearing the backstory. Wishing you the absolute best for 2024!
Mary
January 3, 2024 at 1:11 pmThank you Donna, good to hear. The Christmas, 1914 event story needs to be told and can we learn from it.
Aletha Jean Riter
January 4, 2024 at 11:38 amOh yes…. what those shells could tell you… I am sure that their wayward way will come into your latest novel. I am also glad that you listened to your inner voice, Enjoy the moment and seize the day. You may have regretted it later… things to do can always wait a few more minutes. The shells look so smooth., the color of butter. The one with the three holes and the stem through the length of it. is so interesting. That is like the kind you would see in a tropical place….oh the stories…Thank for sharing, for being blessed and grateful.
Aletha Jean Riter
January 4, 2024 at 11:56 amYes, if only those shells could talk…. how wonder how many trips around the sun they have had? I am glad that you listened to your heart. Time rushes by so quickly that the things that we know we should do can wait just a few more minutes. I am glad that you were blessed with this “me” time and longer time with your pup as I always called mine that as well. Dog sounds so old and beaten down. But that is how “DOG” got its name as when the pup was walking with his master the pup said, “well now that you named all the animals, what is my name?”…and his master looked down to him and he said I am going to call you “Dog” after my name which is God spelled backward…
Charlotte Seawell
January 7, 2024 at 6:06 pmMary, I love that you listened to your inner voice. It is always for the best!
Aletha Jean Riter
January 8, 2024 at 8:54 amThis message is for Lynda Condon… I couldn’t agree more with you… I recently lost my mother and I know that she is one of my “Guardian Angels” and she whispers to me as well. Thank you for bringing up the Holy Spirit as well, as I was raised in the Lutheran Church. So, I appreciate your comment.
Lynda Condon
January 8, 2024 at 9:30 amMessage for Aletha Jean Ritter, My mom died a few days ago on 1.2.24. You are my first message from the Holy Spirit…she is okay and loves me. Thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. It brings me to my knees. We never know who we might touch when we follow His bidding. Wishing you love and happiness š. I am so grateful ššš
Aletha Jean Riter
January 8, 2024 at 11:00 amLynda Condon… this message is for you. I am sorry you lost your mom. I will ask for an MBO (Most Benevolent Outcome). Dear Ascended Masters, Guides and Angels, I would like a Most Benevolent Outcome that the Angels that are looking over Lynda Condon that she is given peace and tranquility through this special time in her life. Please give her strength, endurance and perseverance to be able to overcome and handle this. Please give her the support she needs. Thank you
LYNDA CONDON
January 8, 2024 at 11:06 amThank you, Mary!
Mary
January 9, 2024 at 5:04 pmLynda~~ I will call you. Bless you and your family.
Aletha Jean Riter
January 8, 2024 at 11:25 amLynda Condon… this is Aletha I was the one that sent you the newest message with the MBO…so did you mean to say Thank you to me not Mary?
Lynda Condon
January 8, 2024 at 12:07 pmTo you Aletha… I’m technically challenged. Sorry for the confusion š
Cathy Simpson
January 9, 2024 at 10:12 amI can close my eyes and drive down that hill (in my mind). I always loved seeing the expanse of the bluffs stretch out northward as we came to the beach. I still have some of those shells in a bowl here in the desert.
Mary
January 9, 2024 at 5:03 pmHey Ms. Phoenix! Thank you. We had some pretty amazing wanderings over on Ebey’s Landing, did we not?
LEWalker
January 12, 2024 at 2:26 pmSpending time on a beach is heaven to me. As a child my family would picnic on a California beach in the summertime when school was out. Walking on a beach collecting sea schells still is a good time for me at 75. Thank you for reminding me of this favorite pass time.
Mary
January 12, 2024 at 2:57 pmWe’ll do some of that this summer. Thanks, Lydia~