Dear Friends,
After my parents divorced, my brother and I began spending summers in Florida with our dad. Pretty much on our own during the day, we wandered the beach, splashed in the waves, and never thought about sunscreen. Far away from our home in Chattanooga, life by the ocean transported us to a magical world.
One night when the moon was full, I came face-to-face with what my twelve-year-old self recognized as the source of the magic. Long past sundown, the three of us went on a beach walk. Familiar territory in the sunlight, nighttime on the shore became mysterious, mystical even. Moonbeams sparkled on the surf. Sudden movement in the water hinted at the danger lying below the surface.
There, on the sand, an enormous mother sea turtle crouched over a hole. Tears streamed down her face as she lay dozens of bluish-white eggs.
My eyes clouded with emotions I didn’t completely understand. I felt shame at invading this incredible creature’s very private moment. But also wonder at the miracle playing out before me.
Last weekend, we celebrated my grandson’s first birthday at Navarre Beach. We took him to the turtle rescue center, where we saw Sweet Pea. Despite losing a flipper from being caught up in a fishing net and having a missing chunk in her shell, possibly from a boat propeller, she swam laps in her very own pool. She played with toys and occasionally popped her head up to stare at the creatures staring at her.
I recognized a kindred spirit. One that persevered in the face of daunting obstacles and found her place in a confusing and sometimes hostile environment.
As a writer, I’m not swimming contentedly in familiar surroundings. I’m navigating new territory filled with book launches, media promotions, Amazon reviews, and who knows what else. But, like Sweet Pea, I’ve found my place among my fellow writers and the wonderful people who read my books.
For that, I’m so very grateful.
Magical Turtle Facts
The oldest sea turtle in captivity is 400 years old.
Only about 1 in a thousand hatchlings survive
There are seven species of sea turtles.
Discover what you can do to help sea turtles survive.
Check out the links below to find out how you can help this author survive.
The Sometime Sister
The Substitute Sister
The Unreliables
Trust Issues
Katherine Nichols Author 
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