Time in Rodanthe – Outer Banks, North Carolina. We made it through the stormy, sandy, flooded road (Hwy 12) to a very windy evening over the Atlantic Ocean for our first Night in Rodanthe! The next day, one seemingly simple question went into my cluttered and chaotic mind.
Thankfully, the rain cleared enough to get our toes in the sand. I had a short time on the beach to myself (husband walking way ahead and kids not down to the beach yet). It was like a little artist’s date (as Julia Cameron suggests in her Artist’s Way book) or what I prefer to think of as little vision quests. 🙂 <3
While enjoying the waves (still raging a bit from the storm so I was staying high on the beach) and browsing for treasures, a woman asked, “what are you looking for?” I said lightly, “pretty things”. She said she wondered if I was looking for anything specific and showed me the ones with purple that she likes. We chatted briefly and she walked on leaving her initial question rolling around in my head. I thought, nature’s gifts… then, presents/presence… then, ‘the present!’ I was looking for both presents and presence! Though as soon as I started pondering the question, I lost touch with the present that I didn’t even realize I was looking for! Gratefully, the waves soon lulled me back to the present for the rest of that time on the beach. <3
A few days later, with waves calming, I was again giving thanks to nature and the ocean and beach for whatever gifts they gave. A man walked by and slowed a bit to comment, “a lot of broken ones” and continue on his way. Another statement that crashed around in my head like the waves washing over my feet. I had quickly replied, “It’s okay. I’m going to make wind chimes.” Yet, as he walked away, I thought, “They may be broken, but I see art and hear music!” I loved the worn smoothness, the interesting shapes and colors, and the sounds the shells made as the waves pulled them back home on the way back out. The possible similarity to people is not lost on me. We may be broken, yet we may still be and make beautiful art and music. <3
I’m reminded of a friend’s favorite book (that also has a place in our home and in my heart)… Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindburgh. I don’t recall if she had these same thoughts. I know I’m grateful for the many gifts from nature and this week here on a little stretch of land off the coast… an island and the vastness of the ocean.
May we all be open to the gifts from the art of nature. <3 🙂
