Dear Ashlyn,
Today was our last day at the beach. Our last look at the ocean for the summer. And, I want to remember it. And, I want you to remember it.
You and I headed out to the sand and waves for one last hurrah.
As I relaxed on a towel, you gathered sea shells, working so hard, looking intently in the surf and the sand for anything that sparkled or caused the water to part a little. You would gather a handful then run back to me to show them off.
“Oh, Mama, look at this one!” “Look at the colors of this one.” “Mama, feel this one,” you said.
I marveled at the treasures, 95% of which were common and broken. We looked at your seashell book and tried to match them up to the ones shown there. But, we didn’t find any conches or keyhole limpets today; you didn’t care. I placed them carefully in the pockets of your coverall, handfuls of them. And, I talked to you about how pearls are made as we looked at tiny grains of sand. Something wonderful out of nearly nothing.
A little summer rain didn’t stop you, though many others left the beach. You just kept happily gathering.
I asked you, “Are you ready to go?” “When my pockets are full, we can go. That will be the timer,” you answered.
My heart warmed as I watched you so intently searching for your treasures, not seeing their flaws at all, just appreciating them, each and every one.
Your pockets were just about full when the sky got dark and we heard the roar of thunder. The life guards called everyone out of the water, and I told you we should go. “Why did God make thunder? Does it do something good?” you asked me. “I don’t know, honey. But, it certainly shows God’s power, doesn’t it?” You nodded, and we walked off the beach.
As we stepped on the hot sand, you said, “Look at all these pearls we’re stepping on!” “They aren’t pearls yet, Ash. But, they could be. You know, the Bible talks about that—God can take something really little and make something really valuable out of it.” “What’s valuable mean?” you asked me. “It means something really special, worth a whole whole lot.”
And, that was our time together. We walked back to the house hand-in-hand, and you sat and washed each shell and dried them each carefully—each one something little that had become something valuable. They had just been just floating around in the surf aimlessly and now were someone’s treasure.
Thank you for our time together today, Ashlyn. You are such a special girl—totally uniquely made. There is no one in the world just like you. And, God chose to place you in our family. You are a treasure, a treasure infinitely more valuable than your seashells or even a pearl that takes an oyster a couple years to make (I promised you I’d look that up). Though one day, I expect you will grow out of collecting seashells, don’t grow out of the heart behind it, my dear. Don’t see the broken pieces and the dull colors; marvel at the simple things. I wish I always did.
Maybe next year we can bring Lydia out to the beach with us and teach her about the shells and pearls, okay? You are such a good teacher, Ashlyn.
Love, Mama
Soo sweet Kelly! I love when I get up early and walk the beach with the kids looking for seashells. I make sure I take a walk with each of the kids alone, as does Norm. It is such a special time. The kids, (and I) were pretty bummed that there was not one sea shell on Virginia beach, not even broken pieces. Not that we need anymore shells in the house, but I love those early morning sea shell hunts because of their excitement in finding those treasures and that precious one-on-one time. Heading to OC, MD for the weekend and hoping to get some special time looking for shells with the kids.
Tissue warning would be nice next time! :)
I don’t know if I’m hormonal or what, but I’m totally crying! Love this post!
Totally precious. Love that sweet girl and your godly momma’s heart!
Simply precious.
And what a treasure you have written..Ashlyn will treasure these heartfelt words from her momma for years to come.
Thanks for letting us read it. What a special peek into your day.
Precious. You. Ashlyn. The shells. Just precious.
So sweet!