The Sea Shell

As I touch it my whole body starts to shiver;
Memories from long ago come back.
How many years have passed since that summer?
Five, ten or more? I don’t know.

I take it and put it to my ear and listen
As I did so long ago.
I can still hear the sea slapping against the giant cliffs.
I close my eyes, and can see myself running along the beach, laughing,
While trying not to get my feet wet.

I can still smell the salt and taste it as the surf comes in,
Hear the sea gulls as they come swishing down to the waters edge.
Then I remember the stranger from long ago.
She was a frail, gray haired woman.
I don’t know where she came from or even her name.

But I can still hear her voice and what she said,
"Take this sea shell and hold it close
When times in life get tough or get you down.
Take it and put it to your ear and listen to it with care."

As quick as she appeared, she was then gone.
But the gift of the sea shell was still there.
Now many years later as life seems so unfair
I take the sea shell and put it to my ear
And listen
Remembering that she must of cared.

Sherri Suttle
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As I think of the many gifts in my life,
I think of you.
 

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