I love this story in all its rich detail. And my heart was moved by the heart of it. "If we search deep enough, we stumble upon beauty that’s been tried and tested." 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you, Declan, for reading and for your heartfelt reply. I wrote it immediately after the experience, because the emotion was all so fresh at the time.
Oh friend…this writing brings tears to my eyes. The beauty with which you are able to recall your experience creates feelings that are hard to put into words. You have such a true gift of putting words together in a way that your stories can be lived through your writings.
Thank you, Joy. That means so much to hear from you! I think sometimes when I write, I do it from a place of deep emotion so that those who read will feel what I felt too - or maybe they will feel their own emotional memories surface.
I loved this piece especially since. my dad taught me about sea glass & we hunted (I still do) along the shores of Lake MI. I have a small collection too!
I also feel the same way about rocks - how their jagged edges become smooth as they are tumbled through wave after wave! Just like us!!
What a wonderful memory! So many rich metaphors contained in glass, rocks, and water, right? I returned to sea glass hunting a couple of weeks ago with my friend along the shores of Lake MI this time.
Thanks, Jeannie, for yet another of your beautiful essays. I find much peace and learn much from the water, the beaches, and nature in general. Keep on sharing.
Nature is the best teacher for me too, Paula. So glad to hear this essay struck your heart deeply. I wanted the reader to be immersed in the moment with me and I'm glad it landed that way for you.
I did read this and loved it, sea glass has always wowed me with its symbolism and beauty. I also loved, by the way, your encouragement of readers to click the heart even if they don't have time to read every word. This simple act does indeed help readers elevate the writers we adore for other readers. I have found true gems because of this! <3
Stephanie, thank you for noticing that little preamble about clicking the heart! I think most scroll past. It meant a lot that you read that part and acknowledged its significance. I'm still learning about sea glass!
I am a beach walker and treasure seeker. I have glass bowls and silver dishes of shells and stones, all shapes and sizes, each one special at the time I found it and treasured still. Some are big enough that I can hear the sound of the sea whenever I need to. I am happiest by the water. It’s my place; a source of never-ending peace and calm. Strangely, I have only ever found two small pieces of sea glass over my many decades of beach walking.
Stacy, thank you for reading. I was thinking of you and your beautiful story the other day. I think nature can unite us at heart. I'm glad for that. And grateful for you.
Thanks, Linda! I love how you added the depths of our ancestors and all peoples somehow coalesce in experiences like these. All of our jagged edges make us human.
Thank you, Melissa. I appreciate you reading. It emerged from my heart, the minute I returned home that day. I find that writing such stories shortly after I experience them helps anchor the emotional ambience. I'm always glad when they resonate with someone else.
This is a beautiful reflection. I love the idea that the most treasured pieces are the ones that have been softened by time. What a great day to share with your friend.
Your words spoke right to my heart, Jeannie! This is one of my most favorite healing hobbies to do! Only I go to the shores of Lake Michigan. These incredible, ancient bodies of water hold so many stories. It was my respite place during our son’s cancer treatment journey and remains so. I would tell it my heart and I know it was really listening. I keep a little glass bowl on my desk with a running tally of so many moments of gratitude. My treasured glass🥰
Mary, I had no idea this was a practice you have enjoyed! Love learning that about you, especially in context with its healing pathway during your son's cancer treatments. I returned to sea glass hunting with my friend a couple of weeks ago at Lake Michigan this time!
What a beautiful piece. I appreciate that your friend was suddenly in her element, even though it was cold out and few people were there. And yet, she seemed as excited and happy--as if she was finding great treasures. And I appreciate that the pieces of glass that are most beautiful have been "cooked" a little longer so that their edges are smooth. Just like people...
Yes, I could see my friend light up in that setting, Anne. It really spoke to me, because she had the light extinguish from her life for quite some time. So it was a gift to me to witness her in her element. And to share the experience with her.
Love this piece, Jeannie. I grew up just a couple of blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan. Hunting for sea glass and special shells or rocks is something we did all the time. I’ve even used some of the glass to make art. I never tire of being on that beach doing “beachy” things!
Jeannie - This post brought back a wonderful memory. At the turn of the millennium, my wife and I were visiting our daughter, who lived in Aiea, Hawaii, a suburb of Honolulu. One day we drove up to Oahu ‘s North Shore to search for sea glass in the tidal pools, and this was our reward.
Our adventure was topped off New Year’s Eve by an awesome display of fireworks over Pearl Harbor.
Oh, Michael, that's lovely to hear! I bet the sea glass in Hawaii is quite different than the ones we find in the Midwest.
My friend told me not long ago that she is connected to a woman who went sea glass hunting in the Mediterranean, and the pieces she brought back were, indeed, more native to that place.
How fun to forage and wonder about the stories these glass pieces could tell us.
I love this story in all its rich detail. And my heart was moved by the heart of it. "If we search deep enough, we stumble upon beauty that’s been tried and tested." 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you, Declan, for reading and for your heartfelt reply. I wrote it immediately after the experience, because the emotion was all so fresh at the time.
Oh friend…this writing brings tears to my eyes. The beauty with which you are able to recall your experience creates feelings that are hard to put into words. You have such a true gift of putting words together in a way that your stories can be lived through your writings.
Thank you, Joy. That means so much to hear from you! I think sometimes when I write, I do it from a place of deep emotion so that those who read will feel what I felt too - or maybe they will feel their own emotional memories surface.
You are a true gift …like a rare piece of glass🩵
I loved this piece especially since. my dad taught me about sea glass & we hunted (I still do) along the shores of Lake MI. I have a small collection too!
I also feel the same way about rocks - how their jagged edges become smooth as they are tumbled through wave after wave! Just like us!!
What a wonderful memory! So many rich metaphors contained in glass, rocks, and water, right? I returned to sea glass hunting a couple of weeks ago with my friend along the shores of Lake MI this time.
Totally agree!!!! Just ask my family - I am always picking up rocks🥴❣️
My boys are collecting rocks today Donna!
Thanks, Jeannie, for yet another of your beautiful essays. I find much peace and learn much from the water, the beaches, and nature in general. Keep on sharing.
Nature is the best teacher for me too, Paula. So glad to hear this essay struck your heart deeply. I wanted the reader to be immersed in the moment with me and I'm glad it landed that way for you.
I did read this and loved it, sea glass has always wowed me with its symbolism and beauty. I also loved, by the way, your encouragement of readers to click the heart even if they don't have time to read every word. This simple act does indeed help readers elevate the writers we adore for other readers. I have found true gems because of this! <3
Stephanie, thank you for noticing that little preamble about clicking the heart! I think most scroll past. It meant a lot that you read that part and acknowledged its significance. I'm still learning about sea glass!
I am a beach walker and treasure seeker. I have glass bowls and silver dishes of shells and stones, all shapes and sizes, each one special at the time I found it and treasured still. Some are big enough that I can hear the sound of the sea whenever I need to. I am happiest by the water. It’s my place; a source of never-ending peace and calm. Strangely, I have only ever found two small pieces of sea glass over my many decades of beach walking.
Heather, that's so fun to learn about you! Do you have any photos you can share with us?
I do! I don’t seem able to attach them from my phone but will find a way to do that later today.
What a wonderful way to spend a day. And the metaphor being so very apt.
Stacy, thank you for reading. I was thinking of you and your beautiful story the other day. I think nature can unite us at heart. I'm glad for that. And grateful for you.
This is so beautiful! The depths of ancestors, peoples, jagged edges made smooth, and ballads that bring you right into the story.
Thanks, Linda! I love how you added the depths of our ancestors and all peoples somehow coalesce in experiences like these. All of our jagged edges make us human.
This is so lovely, the story, the search, the sentiment.
Thank you, Melissa. I appreciate you reading. It emerged from my heart, the minute I returned home that day. I find that writing such stories shortly after I experience them helps anchor the emotional ambience. I'm always glad when they resonate with someone else.
This is a beautiful reflection. I love the idea that the most treasured pieces are the ones that have been softened by time. What a great day to share with your friend.
Yes, Denise, isn't that a great metaphor? I love the way you put it - that the most treasured pieces are ones that have been softened in time.
Your words spoke right to my heart, Jeannie! This is one of my most favorite healing hobbies to do! Only I go to the shores of Lake Michigan. These incredible, ancient bodies of water hold so many stories. It was my respite place during our son’s cancer treatment journey and remains so. I would tell it my heart and I know it was really listening. I keep a little glass bowl on my desk with a running tally of so many moments of gratitude. My treasured glass🥰
Mary, I had no idea this was a practice you have enjoyed! Love learning that about you, especially in context with its healing pathway during your son's cancer treatments. I returned to sea glass hunting with my friend a couple of weeks ago at Lake Michigan this time!
What a beautiful piece. I appreciate that your friend was suddenly in her element, even though it was cold out and few people were there. And yet, she seemed as excited and happy--as if she was finding great treasures. And I appreciate that the pieces of glass that are most beautiful have been "cooked" a little longer so that their edges are smooth. Just like people...
Yes, I could see my friend light up in that setting, Anne. It really spoke to me, because she had the light extinguish from her life for quite some time. So it was a gift to me to witness her in her element. And to share the experience with her.
Love this piece, Jeannie. I grew up just a couple of blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan. Hunting for sea glass and special shells or rocks is something we did all the time. I’ve even used some of the glass to make art. I never tire of being on that beach doing “beachy” things!
Oh wow, Kathy, I didn't know that! Do you have any photos of sea glass art you've made? What a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing it here.
I’ll message you a couple
These were gorgeous, Kathy! I saw them yesterday. Thank you for sharing.
Jeannie - This post brought back a wonderful memory. At the turn of the millennium, my wife and I were visiting our daughter, who lived in Aiea, Hawaii, a suburb of Honolulu. One day we drove up to Oahu ‘s North Shore to search for sea glass in the tidal pools, and this was our reward.
Our adventure was topped off New Year’s Eve by an awesome display of fireworks over Pearl Harbor.
Oh, Michael, that's lovely to hear! I bet the sea glass in Hawaii is quite different than the ones we find in the Midwest.
My friend told me not long ago that she is connected to a woman who went sea glass hunting in the Mediterranean, and the pieces she brought back were, indeed, more native to that place.
How fun to forage and wonder about the stories these glass pieces could tell us.
I tried to include pictures of the sea glass, but it looks like they might not have uploaded.
I didn't see any, Michael. Maybe you could DM them to me?
Here you go:
Wow, Michael, I'm seeing the green sea glass stand out a lot! My friend sent me an image that explained the aqua color is really rare!
I’m not too familiar with how Substack works. I might be able to use Facebook Messenger or just email them. My email address is
mike@michaelboyd.us.
Thanks, Michael. Next time, send me a private message, please, so we can keep your email private. 😊
Beautiful, Jeannie. 🙏🩷
Thank you, my friend!
This was so beautiful Jeannie; lyrical and profound.