I walked down the beach, soaking in the long sweep of solitude. I’d been inundated with activity and people lately, and needed this time apart to recalibrate. I was feeling frazzled and fractured.
As I walked, the wind blew relentlessly into my face, transforming my dangling earrings into wind chimes. I wandered along, soaking in the serenity and the scenery, stopping occasionally to take pictures. Struck by an isolated boat at anchor. The interplay of granite, tree and sky. Or a still life of rocks beneath my feet.
Moving along the beach, I spotted a large piece of driftwood. I love driftwood with its intricate lacing of pale sea- and salt-worn branches and roots. I angled up the beach to get closer. There were rocks tucked in to some of the crevices, and a strand of grass had opportunely seeded and was reaching toward the sky.
I began taking pictures. Often, photography can serve as a sort of meditation for me. I find myself lost in the flow of what’s around me. Moving seamlessly from object to object. Looking at the light. The shapes. The shadows. It was exactly what I needed at this time. As I took pictures in the sun, with the wind and waves and the worn wood and tide-tumbled rocks, I felt my own edges smooth out. I felt the stress of the past day fade away.
Then, thinking the light would be better, I walked around to the other side of the driftwood to take a few more photos. There were more rocks tucked in the tangled roots. It took me a second to realize there was writing on them. This was the first one I read:
I was stunned. The writing was so random and unexpected, yet so apt and intimate. I felt like I’d received a secret message.
I read all the other rocks, and noticed spots where people had graffitied the wood with positive words and images.
I imagined different people choosing their rocks, writing a message of hope and comfort, then tucking them into the nooks and crannies of this tide-tossed tree, not knowing who might ever read it. Not knowing how welcome its message might be.
What a lovely note of kindness to put out into the world. What a gift.
Nix the comfort zone 
Wow. *goosebumps*
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I know, right!?
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Your piece would have been lovely without the photos. (I love the sound image of your earrings turning into wind chimes.) then the beautiful photos. And then the surprise finding of the stones! You have me wondering if they were left by one person or by several.
I once was on a walk in a little used woods and came across a small piece of artwork, left as a gift. It is so surprising to find a message in a place where you feel alone.
finally, you create such a beautiful image, as you say your rough edges feel smoothed, and show us rocks smoothed by the same wind and water.
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Thanks, Fran. I love that you found a small piece of artwork in the woods. I once came upon a small gargoyle tucked into the base of a tree!
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Thank you, I needed these words and lovely images!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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Oh my gosh. I love natural surprises like that. The driftwood is just beautiful and the message stones are tryly a gift. Glad you were the recipient!
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Those messages landed on fertile ground that day, for sure!
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Where is this precious gift? Looks like Maine. Midcoast?
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It was actually on Campobello Island, so technically it was in Canada but clearly very similar to Down East Maine.
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Oh I know where that is. Beautiful country! Glad you came across it and share it with us all!
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What a gift, the time to wander, the beach, and then the driftwood sculpture with message rocks. Thanks for taking us alongside you.
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Thanks for coming along!
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Wow! This is such a magical moment. I feel lucky that you sliced about it so we could experience it too.
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Thanks! It really was a pretty amazing moment. Don’t be surprised if you see a revised version turn up amidst the “My Day” pieces!
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Both your words and pictures are so beautiful. I can only imagine your surprise when you saw the word, “healing.” A beach is such a fantastic place to center yourself and reclaim your spirit. I loved the line, “As I walked, the wind blew relentlessly into my face, transforming my dangling earrings into wind chimes.” It was fun to go on this walk with you!
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I really was so taken aback when I saw “healing” written on that first rock. Thanks for coming along on my journey, and for taking the time to comment.
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Amazing when Nature provides the words that we really need. I was mesmerized by the many shades of blue as I slowed down to examine the pictures.
You also piqued my curiosity . . .
Now I want to see your earrings in order to see how they could be wind chimes!
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For the life of me, I can’t remember what earrings they were. lol I love to wear dangling earrings, but this is the first time they sang to me while I walked. It was a lovely gift from the blustery in-your-face wind!
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What an extraordinary walk! I love the imagery you created for us as we joined you on the beach. And then to find this driftwood sculpture with apt words to top the experience. Totally rejuvenating! Thanks for taking us with you.
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It really was extraordinary. I felt totally recalibrated and ready to face the world again when I finally (and somewhat reluctantly) left.
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You indeed have some magical driftwood! In the winter in front of our fireplace, we pull a table between our two chairs. On the table we have a metal frog from the Laughing Buddha thrift store given to us by our Carpinteria friend Susan. Beside the frog, we have two pieces of driftwood we picked up at the Padaro Lane Beach also in Carp charred and singed from the wildfires in nearby Montecito. They are nature’s works of art!
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I love picturing that natural art on your table. Our window sills are covered with sand dollars, interesting rocks and pieces of wood. Kurt even has what we call his “cabinet of curiosities” which is filled with all manners of natural art.
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Ah Molly, thank you for your post and photos. Your posts on and photos on your blog or FB are always gifts to me. You have unfrazzled me. Love how your time at the beach unfrazzled your rough edges to smoothness and your stress sailed away. I also love driftwood and like taking photos of it. I’m happy for you that you came across this magical and healing respite. So beautiful! Thank you for capturing the magic and meditation in photos. I know exactly what you mean about photography being a sort of meditation. Nature is amazing. Thank you.
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Thanks so much for coming along with me, Gail, and for your thoughtful comment. I love that you felt the calm from this rejuvenating walk, too!
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