How This Amazing Beach Discovery Reminded Me of Your Unfolding Book Journey

I love the beach. All beaches, really. But I especially love sandy beaches located in warm climates. 

That’s why on a recent trip to Georgia to meet our new granddaughter (4th grandchild; 2nd girl) we chose to make our home-base a beachfront hotel on Jekyll Island.

It was a real treat - palm trees, ocean waves, and fun amenities. And because it was January, very few people.

What there was an abundance of, however, was sand dollars!

Sand dollars aren’t new to me. I’ve seen and collected plenty of them over the years — from sandbars on Maine beaches but never from beaches in the South.

I made the first discovery while taking my inaugural sunset walk. 

The best way I can describe my level excitement is that it felt almost like that time I won $100 on a scratch off ticket and ran out of the house without my shoes to go gather my winnings.

Suffice it to say, I couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel to share the big “find” with my husband.

Okay. I know. I’m easily excitable but stay with me here.

Like I said, sand dollars were old hat so why all the hoopla?

First, because it was a TOTALLY unexpected find… and secondly, because I’d never seen ones quite like this. The long, skinny, perfectly placed slots were something new.

This magical little moment would have enough to fill my tank for days (even if it hadn’t been overflowing with new baby love) but the next morning, it got even better.

Sunrise beach walks are my all time favorite. If ever I’m blessed to be in the vicinity of a beach, I set my alarm so I don’t miss the opportunity to witness the otherworldly grandeur of the sun making its way up the horizon.

This particular morning though, my attention was split.

My guess is from a distance I could have passed for an oversized bobble head doll. I’d go from having my head down scanning the beach to looking up feverishly to make sure I didn’t miss that first moment of the sun elevating.

There were treasures to be found in every direction.   

Yes, the much anticipated glory of the bright orange ball making its appearance in the sky but with every step and every glance, it was the sand dollars stealing my attention.

Some of them were bleached out and white ; others were a rich shade of dark gray.

Some were exposed; others almost fully hidden - buried with just a wee bit peaking out.

Some were alive; others were dead.

Some were on the move; others weren’t going anywhere.

Some were fully in tack while others were damaged and broken.

I bet over the course of two days I must have seen a hundred or more sand dollars… and taken dozens of photos to document the sightings.

This is where you -and your book- enter the story.

I couldn’t help but ruminate on how these sand dollars were like books… the one waiting to be written.

Which sand dollars sounds like they best represent your book?

The ones that were:

Fresh and vibrant… or washed up and dead?

Fully visible… or buried and hidden?

Making movement… or firmly stuck in their tracks?

Strong and complete… or scattered and a mess?

Maybe the thing holding you back from making progress on your book is that it feels like everybody has written something on your topic. If that’s the case, the sand dollars put an exclamation point on this important issue, too.

Even in their overflowing abundance…

Every. Single. One. Was. Different.

Just like every book is different.

Your perspective is like no one else’s because your lived experiences are unique to you. 

In the same way ALL the sand dollars held their own kind magic and beauty, each book holds its own power. Different ones appeal to different people but there is room for many treasures, not just a single gem.

Long story short, I’ll cherish these special moments while also looking forward to many more memorable discoveries — on beach walks and on the pages of your book.

I can’t wait to marvel and celebrate finding your creation on a bookstore shelf this year.

Maybe I’ll even pick it up and take it with me on my next trip the beach.