During our long, many legged jaunt, we kept pretty busy. A wedding, family to visit, jet skiing, beach exploring, Disney, and moving from place to place, resettling in somewhere new every few days.
The trip was both hectic and relaxing at the same time. It zipped by so quickly that I didn’t really have a chance to miss studio time. But when traveling, I do miss creating things.
Years ago, I started making seashell fairies with bits and pieces found on the sand. It was not only a thank you to nature for the beautiful beach, it was an outlet for me to do something crafty while far away from my studio.
I rarely see a response, I make them take photos, and they usually disappear overnight. At Marco Island, they lingered a couple of days. I saw a crowd gathered round one of these, taking photos. I spoke to one lady who was in tears. Her daughter, who typically vacationed with her had died and she told me that the beach Angel felt like a message from her.
We spoke about Ryan and about her lost child. Both of us were in tears.
Making my fairies and looking for heart shapes in nature began for me years ago. I thought of them as little touches of magic to create or discover. I liked leaving my shell sprites behind in gratitude.
Ryan used to be excited for me when we’d find a heart together out on our walks. Or when I’d show him photos of a little Faye or heart. Since he passed, I keep finding more and more hearts everywhere I go, and I love to think of him next to me when I make a discovery. I can hear his voice saying, “That’s cool, Mom!”
The shapes and the fairy/angels have developed a deeper meaning for me now, with him gone.
And my tearful chat with another grieving mother has left me thinking about past creations and hoping that one could’ve given someone else a bit of cheer as they walked by it.
