For my second sister, Carol F.
My sister was taking her usual early morning walk on the beach in St. Lucia when she came across something unforgettable. Just above the tide line, she spotted a huge sea turtle that had already pulled herself out of the water to lay her eggs.
She stepped closer, carefully, and felt the quiet power of the moment. Her heart was pounding as she watched the turtle’s size and slow, steady movements. Someone nearby took a quick photo of her sitting next to the turtle, capturing the awe on her face as she gazed at the huge animal.
It was peak turtle nesting season, the quiet months from March through November, when loggerheads, leatherbacks, hawksbills, and green turtles return to these beaches every year. The turtle was enormous, the biggest my sister had ever seen up close, and heavy enough to leave deep grooves in the sand with each push of her flippers.
The turtle’s broad, rustic-brown shell shone in the early light, marked with bold ridges. Her large head and leathery flippers caught the first sunlight as she dug her nest with slow, deliberate strokes that sent sand flying behind her.
My sister stood quietly in the morning with the salty breeze on her face. She felt as if she had stepped into something timeless and special, as if the island was sharing a secret with her.
Later, she shared the photos with our family on WhatsApp. When I saw it, I looked it up and learned that it was a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).
A few weeks later, I messaged her to ask if I could share the story and the photo with my blogging friends. She agreed right away.
So here it is: a simple, beautiful moment, and the photos she let me share.
Thank you for sharing a breath of beauty with me.💛
Keziah Thinks Press 