I've never been able to find a suitable location in my home for the conch shell I got during a trip to Turks & Caicos more than seven years ago. About a week ago I moved it from a spot in my office where it had sat for quite a number of years and put it on the bookshelf where I keep the O Magazines*, which I can't bear to throw away.
Truth be told, the last time I was moving things around in the office my youngest scratched her leg on it. I thought briefly about throwing it away because the vision I have for my beach-colored, tranquil, spa-like master bathroom seems too far away and dreamlike to save it. That dream room is unrealistic in this house because we have one bathroom that I share with four children. But each time I think of disposing of the shell; I just can't bring myself to do it.
That shell once held a life - a large saltwater snail to be exact. It's also a symbol of a carefree and happy time for me: I was doing travel writing and the trip to Turks & Caicos was the first my oldest daughter, who was about 10 at the time, was able to attend with me. She was quite impressed with our travel and accommodations, but most importantly it was a moment we were able to share together.
At the time I envisioned being able to share more trips like that with her. I had a lot of dreams that are starting to fade including returning to Turks & Caicos. Those fading dreams made me think that the shell no longer fits its purpose.
Now I keep glancing at it... I guess I can still see possibilities in it. And if I pay close attention I can still hear my dreams coming from it. More than seven years ago I had high hopes for the life path I was on and I thought (just like conch that lived within) the dreams died away.
The reality is I can't let those dreams die. I may not have been able to bring a live conch home, but I have the most beautiful part - the shell. My memories are also the beautiful part and the dreams may be fading, but I can let that shell spark new dreams.
What sparks your dreams today?
For more of mine check out all of my other Monday's Muse posts.
*For me, each O Magazine is a message of self, creativity and womanhood. It's the evidence of a woman's dream that I can't stand to part with.
9 folks a chattin':
Cool post! Keep the shell! Continue to dream!
I would keep it. If it brings back good memories. I had a shell, but I lost it somewhere. I got it from the Philippines while I was snorkeling. I had a grand time trying to dive and pick it.
I wouldn't be able to part with it either - it's gorgeous. Hang onto those dreams Petula. You deserve them!
sorry its been so long since ive stopped by! trying to get back into blogging again...slowly.
what a beautiful post! i have a picture i painted, its just little & its of the back of a naked woman sitting on a lilly pad staring out into space with stars & stuff, i copied it off something, not sure what it really symbolises for me, but it seems to ring a bell with some part of me, & brings me inspiration in some way.
mel :D
Keep the shell. Don't let your dreams die.
You can let those old dreams die in one instance, and one instance only: if you have new, better dreams to replace them.
It's so interesting to me - the things we "decide" to keep. You can't get rid of them really ,even if you really try, it seems. You've definitely got to keep that shell! :)
Absolutely gorgeous post my dear!
Dreams are what keep us alive!
xoxoxo
That's beautiful and hopeful!! Making the decision to not throw it away is the best thing that you could do! Keep dreaming :)
What sparks my dreams is waking up every morning deciding to live an authentic life just being me. It's what keeps me going.
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