Be careful not to Stub Your Toe on a Seashell

It had been so long

and the excitement built

as familiar sights came into view.

Our first time alone together

in our favorite city, key and beach

since our 1st anniversary.

Now we're on our 20th.

It's our place.  

A place of yesteryear 

in this modern, fast-paced world.

A place one can take things slow

and smile at the occasional elderly

who know this place so well.

We walked along the shore

and the memories of the past

are renewed in the present.

This place is a rest for my soul.

Well preserved and well kept

for the weary one 

like a best friend who knows you

and you can simply be.

We stopped to speak 

to a pure white bird who stood

on longs legs at waters edge.

We side-stepped the fishermen

and tall birds that awaited tidbits 

expectantly and the Amish who know

a good place like we do.

Reminiscing about the starfish

we saw together at this very shore

20 years ago, I was thrilled to see

only 5 feet from shore -

a starfish!  And when my husband

came back over to meet me,

I made him come into the water

and peer at "him".

Then there were the olive seashells

that were moving along the bottom.

Pick one up and the sweet creature

inside could move along my hand

like a slug.  I'd never seen one alive.

How I wish I had my camera.

Then a big shell was moving quickly

in the water.  Tentatively,

I picked up the shell to find

an awesome hermit crab.

His home was huge and so was he.

Some people stopped and we 

gazed and marveled as he came out

and we could see his cute body.

Then I placed him safely back

deep in the water.

Then along the edge -

a huge horseshoe crab lay dead.

It looks like a trilobite.

I picked it up to check it out.

I'd never seen anything like this.

So very big!

Hoping maybe I could keep 

his shell, I carried him for awhile.

The smell was something else.

Then later a huge conch-like shell

lay among the seaweed 

that carpeted the shallow shore.

It was occupied and it's owner

was a heavy one.

But never have seen a shell 

this big!

It was at least 14" long!

The sand so soft,

as soft as the sands of Siesta.

It squeaked if you slid your foot

over it quickly.

It was fun to walk and squeak.

We walked for over a mile, barefoot

around this amazing Isle.

So many sights and ecosystems 

meeting each other in one place.

From Gulf to Bay to Inlet.

Each with it's own personality.

Mad at the couple of big boats

out running full speed,

disturbing the peaceful waters.

I didn't want to leave.

Hubby so kind and patient.

Could I ever find someone

as loving as he

who knows me better than anyone

and understands my need?

I say no.  No one ever!

Except Jesus,

who rescued us both. 

"For from His bounty we 

have all received spiritual blessing

after spiritual blessing".

Our marriage reflects this.

We raced home hand in hand.

The sunset beckoned.

And the shortcut we took

had quite a few seashells.

And I laughed with my husband

and advised him to be careful

not to stub his toes on them.

So I thought that would be

a great name for our story.

I love days of seeing creation

in the wild.

Where man hasn't touched 

and nothing has been changed

or modernized.

I love this Isle.

I hope it never is changed!

Maybe I can bring youth group

from Miami for a day.

I think they'd love 

this secret place!