Friday, March 25, 2011

Gifts From The Sea


Wednesday, Mr. Flea took sister Lynn, Dad and me 
to a favorite family place...Ft. DeSoto Beach.
...a beautiful and natural beach with pines to shade us
 and miles of sandy beach to walk and search for shells.


The sky was blue and the sea a beautiful blue green.



Walking the beach looking for shells, gazing out at the water...
...it was good for the soul.







The dolphins were in view...
sailboat on the horizon...
(click to see them a bit larger)


Seagulls and Terns kept us company...





As beautiful as it was...
I was feeling a little bit lost, 
...knowing how much Mom loved being here too.


...and then I looked down...


...and saw these angel wings.

Although our hearts ache, we really had a lovely day
 and finished it off with some delicious seafood.

Hope you enjoy these warm and sun filled photos
 and that the weekend ahead is full of fun
 for you and your family!
:)

50 comments:

deborah said...

thank you for sharing this. fort desoto is the beach i spent many, many times searching for shells with my grandparents. missing them terribly this morning.....and then i read your words with your pictures. missing your mom. (((hugs)))to you this morning.

Carol R said...

Wonderful beachy pictures Laura - thank you for sharing! I so miss the wonderful beaches on the west coast and will hopefully be back in October.

amy of studio four corners said...

yes, love fort desoto - also nearby passe grille as well. I know it must be hard (I lost my mom 2 years ago) but glad you have loving family for support!

Unknown said...

they always find a way to show us they are still "there." never doubt it. so happy you found those angel wings and didn't' miss "the sign." i'm wishing your heart a respite from the pain. blessings....

erin's art and gardens said...

dearest laura,
may you find comfort knowing that your beloved mother is wearing wings now.
thanks for taking us on your lovely beach walk.
erin
xxoo

lilybets said...

Dear friend,It's true,when you have lost someone beloved It's hard to stay in places where he could love and be happy...but life goes on and your happiness is your mother happiness.

Rummet för välbefinnande said...

Dear Laura, I´m sad to hear that you have lost your mother......
These photos are touching my heart because there are so much feelings in them. A combination of many different feelings, but I can also imagine that you felt some kind of harmony inside of you when you saw the "angelwings". My warmest thoughts to you and your family.
Take care......
Mia

Robin Thomas said...

Oh how lovely this is.

I hope you felt some healing.

savvycityfarmer said...

our hearts beat with yours.
I haven't walked this road ... yet

Beach House Living said...

Dear Laura,
The sea seems to manage to soothe the soul even if only for a moment. Hang in there.

Your photos are lovely I could almost feel the warm sun and sound of the birds....

Kathy said...

What an amazing way to start my day. LOVED the pictures. LOved the words. This was just great. It's 29 degrees in Chicago. This did my soul a world of good. Have a great weekend. - Kathy

deborah said...

Beautiful post. I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I am sure it was good for all of you to go and enjoy the scenery a place where your mother enjoyed being together, too. I love the open shell... what a reminder of HOPE. My mother has been gone for a few years now and it seems that every now and then something 'out-of-the-ordinary' and DIVINE is placed in my path also. Precious... Glad you are enjoying the 'todays' as you continue to grieve. My prayers are with you and your family. deborah

Jamie said...

I feel more relaxed after just looking at these photos.

Divine Theatre said...

(((((hug)))))

Anji Johnston said...

When you lose someone so near and dear to your heart, I truly believe they leave signs along the path of recovery, to show you that they are still there and watching over you. Your dear mum Laura, is there with every breath you take, every waking moment, and every single day. No words will ever take away that 'lost' feeling you have, but your heart will mend over time and you will be left with the feeling of peace, knowing mum is wrapped safely in the arms of this mighty universe - happy. My thoughts are with you Laura - and your precious family.

mary pernula said...

I know how your heart is hurting. I lost my my at the age of 30 and everyday I miss her. I know she is standing by me all the time and that comforts me very much........Hugs Mary

It's me said...

Oh Laura......a biggg hug from me darling.......lots of love Ria......xxx....xxx....xxx...

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and walk on the beach with us. (((hugs)))
Have a great weekend.

Voondi~ Cher said...

there is something about the ocean that helps to relieve our grief, if only for a moment...we have a connection there, as you saw. Hope your heart searches for moments of joy and lessens your sorrow~ xo Cheryl/ Voondi

sandra said...

What an incredible beach to walk on...and I love the little angel wings. A Gift from up above. I am sending you and your family prayers of STRENGTH, PEACE, LOVE but most of all JOY. Your photos are so incredibly beautiful.

Jenny Petricek said...

What gorgeous pictures! That beach makes me wish I was already in Florida, where we plan to take a vacation at the end of April! I believe that you looked down at that spot in the sand at that exact moment because God deliberately meant for you to see those angel's wings...to provide you with comfort in this challenging time.

Susy said...

I really enjoyed the beautiful photos ~ east coast beaches are so different from west coast. Blessings to you, your sister, and your dad. xo

KKvinneblogger said...

Oh, what a place! Wish I was there :)

Andy's Attic said...

Dear Laura, Your mom will always be with you. The beach scenes are so beautiful and make me miss the Gulf Coast I went to as a kid. I had to show my husband so he could see why I loved it so much. What a beautiful place for you all to visit together.
Annette

Evi said...

Laura, it is absolutely beautiful there, just like you said.
Would love to be there too.
What a sign from heaven these little angel wings are! Mom is looking down.
I think about you so much and miss you.
Enjoy spending time with your loved ones looking at this gorgeous scenery.
Lots of love and hugs, Evi

Unknown said...

What a beautiful gift...lovely photos and the angel wings touched my heart. Beautiful place to try and find some peace.

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Dear Laura

In some ways going to a place your Mother loved brings you closer to her. Nature has away of sending messages...Your photos are beautiful, I can see why you and you Mother like it there, the different shades of blue are amazing.
Treasure your special wings :-)
Take care
Isabelle x

Jenn said...

She was with you all.....but I think you knew that :)

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

What a beautiful place to spend some time to help heal your heart and your hurt, Laura. Just gorgeous photos. Your dear Mom is definitely with you in spirit. I do believe those angel wings prove it!

Sandy said...

How lovely your pictures are...what a beautiful place to be... I am so touched by the angel wings..that says it all. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. xoso Sandy O

White Ironstone Cottage said...

Your pictures are so beautiful it was almost as good as being there with you
Blessings to you sweet friend
xo
Pam

eli said...

I've felt so touched by your words Laura.
Wonderful shots, beautiful place.
Hugs!

Angela said...

The photos are just beautiful! I'm glad you have so many beautiful memories to enjoy also.
God bless you.

Jolanda said...

What a beautiful pictures...the sea is always a great place to be, in good and bad times. And together with your family now, enjoying the sun and the sand, the sea and the dolfins...thinking and talking about your mom...xxx

jabreb said...

Your Heart will continue to ache but the pain is less over time..you will always miss your Mom. After 10 years I'm still getting "signs" and it is so comforting. Blessings and healing thoughts to you and your family.

DecRenew Interiors said...

So refreshing to see these beautiful photos. Just came back from the beach and wrote a post about it too.

Ruthie

Mary Kay Andrews said...

Ft. DeSoto Beach was where my family picnicked, held family reunions, camped...It's a beautiful place, good for the soul. My late mother loved it too. I'm glad you found such a serene place.

Sea Witch said...

A lovely post. My mother also loved the sea. It's the only place I know where I can feel joy and heartache at the same place and still come away feeling strong. Your photos are lovely. Sea Witch

Rose Garden Malevik said...

Hi Laura
What a Wonderful trip....
Lovel photos....
I hope everything is ok
and do not miss

S
A
T
U
R
D
A
Y

S
H
O
W

O
F
F

WELCOME to Join it :)
Håkan ( The Roseman)

francis said...

ANGEL WINGS what a beautiful and meaningful name. I love the beach too . I enjoyed your beautiful pictures very much .
Have a beautiful weekend , with all your loved ones , around or in your heart !

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hi Laura ~ your photos are just so beautiful! Thank you for sharing the angel wings with us...it must have been such a wonderful moment!

Anna said...

Such wonderfully refreshing photos! Beautiful. Wishing you continued healing of the heart.

Nancy said...

What beautiful photos. I so miss living close to the sea as I did in Maine. I am sorry you have lost your Mom. Our beloved Moms are never far away, even when we cannot see them anymore. ((( ))) Yes, there can be great peace at the edge of the sea.

My Sparrows Nest said...

Your beach photos are so lovely! My favorite is the little bird wading the waves in photo number three. May the sweet memories of your mother comfort you and the knowledge that you will be with her again in Heaven.

Blue Muse said...

The beach is where I go for everything - to be happy, to be sad, to be contemplative -
Many, many hugs to you, sweet Laura. Strength and love to you and your family.
xo Isa

Suz said...

Laura,
My heart aches when I read this but I am also so touched by the gift of the angel wings.What a perfectly beautiful sign that all is well.
With love,
Suz

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

What a lovely day you had.

The angel wings were meant for you to see. After we lost our son two years ago, we went to the beach for the year anniversary - a place he loved to go to. The beach we stopped at wasn't sandy, but rather full of layers of small, ocean worn rocks. I found several little rocks that day in the shape of a heart. The first one was red.

((hugs)) to you....

Becky

Heidi Johnson (Hagedorn) said...

I love Fort DeSoto Beach. I often go there when I visit my Mom an Dad who live in Palmetto Florida. I wish you peace...glad you saw those angel wings.
Heidi

GypsyFarmGirl said...

I haven't been to a beach since I was a little girl. Thank you for letting me see through your eyes!

French-Kissed said...

Dear Laura,

I am just learning of your dear mother's passing and I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. No doubt that there will be many reminders of your mother like these sweet little shells that look like angle wings...so hold all of your memories of her close and cling to the promise that you will be together again.

~jermaine