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Pearly Shells and the dishes.





Pearly Shells, from the ocean
Shining in the sun
Covering up the shore
When I see them
My heart tells me that I love you,
More than all the little pearly shells.

We used to sing this as kids. While doing the dishes. A Hank Snow song sung over and over, passed down through the family. My grandmother would have sung with my mother and her sisters, sometime in the 50’S and I guess they just kept singing it.

We sang it, while doing the dishes. Three girls singing, usually in harmony – without even knowing what harmony was. This stopped the arguing, the throwing of plates, flicking of suds, pulling of hair and other shenanigans.

I’ve never sung it with my son or stepsons. They – glued to the electronic devices of their era  - do not know about the pearly shells. The dishwasher replaced tantrums of who’s turn it was and the half-arsed wipe down of the kitchen bench was always done with one hand and both eyes distracted by said chosen device.

I think of my sister’s kids and my step-children’s kids and wonder if they ever sung Pearly Shells. Probably not. I think it finished with us three girls, my sisters and I.

Pearly shells have taken on a new meaning for me today.

I walk the beach often. A lot. Always. This is when I tune in to that universal force, sometimes called God, Buddha, The Divine and so many other monikers. The beach is where I feel small and expansive all at once.


Today I was reminded as I walked that I know nothing at all. I do not know what lies ahead for me or anyone else for that matter. I cannot control or manipulate my life or anyone else’s. I cannot even ask for what I want, purely because I do not know what is around the corner, what is possible, or what is coming. All I can know for sure is that I will be part of it, come what may.

So, instead of asking, or praying for, affirming or visualising, today I gave. I gave everything I had. Handed it over. What do I know anyway?

As I walked on and swam and rested in the salty perfection and beauty of the beach, I saw my path. It has no beginning and no end.  It is secret until it is not, it is paved for me by a power greater than my human knowing. All I need do is relax and take comfort that the right thing will happen at the right time. All I need do, is follow those little pearly shells…

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