Our condos faced the Gulf of Mexico and the well-cared-for beaches were a constant source of joy. Yeah, I know there's something elemental about the ocean, frightening for its immensity and amoral power, yet awesome in its color and the amazing gifts it bestows on those who seek it. Having fished the Bering Sea, I am well aware of the fear factor and seasickness! Yet I yearned to feel the sand and salt water and to find the sea shells raved about on the resort website. So every morning we walked the shoreline, trying to hit low tide so we could attempt to pick the best from behind a beach shelf, which is covered with water during the day. Everyone found shells, of course, with concentration and a bit of reaching! I even fell into the water fully clothed because I was determined to get a conch shell! Did I quit? Nope! Those waves that kept giving and taking back couldn't keep me down!
The shells and striving for them could be considered a metaphor for life. When one reaches for a goal, sometimes one acquires it. Sometimes one may become so immersed in the striving that one is soaked in the work and oblivious to the rest of life. And sometimes the goal is taken back by the waves of perdition. Perhaps then our goal should be continuing to strive. To reach yet again for the beautiful shell was our purpose on the beach. To reach for our life's goals again and again is our purpose here on earth. We just need to not let the waves take our attention away from those we love, or discourage us from striving.
During this New Year, I plan to remember the sea shells by the sea shore ... and my family's striving!
