Friday, January 7, 2011. Walking on the beach (Hollywood , Fla.) I happened to spot a perfect conch shell. I call all cylindrical, pointed at one end, with a declining cylindrical shape, conch shells. Anyway, this one just popped out at me, near the surf, completely alone. Of course, I bent to pick it up and carried it back to my beach station <grin>. 
When I noticed it started to move on my towel, I quickly observed that there was a live hermit crab inside! I immediately thought of my sister Karen who used to love hermit crabs and sometimes even buy one to raise it. Of course I would help her have enough other larger shells, which I found while beaching, so the hermit could move into as it grew. (must be the innate Realtor in me?). That's about all I ever knew about the creature, but Karen was able to keep them alive and relocating for quite some time.
After another beautiful, 3 or so hours of beach time, my shell and I went back to Hallandale, where I stay when visiting Florida. (I am blessed with the opportunity to stay in my (other) sister's, Marie, awesomely beautiful, penthouse condo which overlooks the Intercoastal and the ocean.).
Saturday, January 8. While setting up my station on the beach, I realized my beautiful shell/sea creature was still in the pocket of my beach bag. So I took one of the baggies, always on hand for shell collecting, filled it with seawater, sand and of course whatever else went inside. I gave the little fellow a fresh surrounding which I though might be good after being hold up in a pocket for 18 or so hours. I didn't see any movement but when I tried to pull on the little protruding claw it did retract so I knew there was still life.
I would look at it now and again, thinking of my sister often and wishing I had talked more with her about her fascination in this little creature of God before her untimely death several years ago. I actually felt her presence and knew she was here with me at that moment.
After several hours of thought: Should I destroy the crab and keep the beautiful shell? Should I try to put it in sand and take it home so I can witness the life of a hermit crab? Should I let it go?
I decided to bring it down to the surf and see what happened. I put the little guy down near the edge of the breaking waves. The water washed up and the beautiful shell rolled, first toward land and then toward sea but still surrounded by sand. I stood and enjoyed the pattern of the sea mixed with the roll of my new friend for quite some time when a man and a boy about 4 years old approached. The young lad was picking shells along the way and when they saw me looking down, the father said as he pointed at "my shell", "there's a pretty one", but I quickly said, "it's alive. There's a hermit crab living in it". So the father apparently explained to the boy that he should leave it be, as it still had life. The son acknowledged but quickly saw the plastic bag I had in my hand pointed at the baggie. I took out another beautiful, approximately 1 1/2 inch translucent perfect conch which had washed up just minutes before. I reached in the bag and took it out and handed it to the boy. He admired it as if it were a rare gem and transferred it to his bag with his shell collection. Believe it when I say, I hesitated, if just for a moment, giving my beautiful shell away but the dad asked him to thank me. They both expressed their gratitude and continued along their beach walk.
Now I decided that I was given a hint for my decision and I gently placed the shell that I protected, further in the water and watched as nature took it away.
I should tell you that whenever I vacation near the ocean, at least when I am alone, the one and only thing I look forward to day after day is a beautiful, sunny, peaceful day at the beach. That said:
Sunday, January 9: I was set up the following morning near the same spot as the day before and the day before that. I try to get there early so I get a convenient parking spot and then take a nice long brisk walk along the broad walk to (almost) the end and back. I decided to treat myself to breakfast on the way back. I ate at Ocean Alley and then continued along with my day. Set up, listen to book, hop in water, pick shells etc. Well I was in the water today and was thinking about the hermit crab, I felt the presence of my sister, Karen, as well as my Mom, my Dad and my brother Frank at that moment and felt exhilarated! I wished I could better tune in when they are trying so hard to connect. I swam peacefully for awhile and then was getting out of the water to go back to my "beach station" and I couldn't believe what I saw! There it was! The same beautiful, purple tinted conch shell, I threw into the sea a day earlier.
What are the odds?
Yes, the hermit crab was still inside and alive. I am bringing him/her/it home and will see if he wants to live in any of the many, many, many shells I have collected and saved throughout the years.
"Thank you Karen. I promise to google hermit crabs!"
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