Sea glass works its magic on a grandson

“A magical, mystical & turbulent ride created a gem of the sea ...”

— Sonia Turner

Ah, the lure of sea glass!

On a recent visit, oldest grandson Christian was a little on the reluctant side when I first mentioned getting out for a walk. Of course I knew he would not be up for my usual nearly five-mile morning walk, but we both needed to get out and about and burn up a few calories.

“What about Crystal Cove, Christian?” I asked. After a bit of hemming and hawing and the magic words that it wouldn’t take long, he agreed to the outing.

Now, mind you, I had not yet mentioned sea glass because I was not entirely sure we would spot any. It was not until we were walking north on the sandy beach that he spotted the first dull-green piece of glass in the sand. That one piece was all that it took.

Hunched over, Christian scurried quickly ahead of me, searching for more bits of colored glass. With each piece found, he would hurry back to share. We talked about each piece as we turned it over in our hands. This one had many shiny, sharp edges. Would it be all right with him if we threw it back for more tossing among the waves? Another, a light aqua, a definite keeper.

We talked about what it takes to become the “perfect” piece of sea glass and why some colors are more valued than others. Since I have a large bowl at home filled with sea glass from my own travels, he had noted that most pieces are various shades of green, white and brown, with less of the aqua, blue and yellow ones.

“Have you ever found a red one?” he asked.

“Only one that was from someone’s modern vase,” I had to admit.

We stopped briefly to talk with a woman from Palos Verdes who was also searching the sand. She spoke of her grown daughter and her hopes that she would some day walk on the beach with her own grandson. After she marveled at the aqua glass we had found, Christian gave her one of the pieces he had. I was pleased at his generosity.

We walked on, gathering as we went. I shared with him a trick I had used for years — to look out ahead of where I was walking by about 10 to 15 feet, watching for the reflected sunlight on the glass. Not only does this help to avoid a stiff neck, it allows me to still enjoy the sea and environs.

Stopping to take a picture with my phone, I noted the time. Wow! We had been out here for quite a while. What was that about not taking long? I did not think he minded at all, though we were both ready for a bite to eat.

Pockets filled with our “gems” from the sea, we headed back the way we had come, our morning adventure over.

The lure of sea glass has attached itself to many adventures over the years. This was a special one. There will be many more with the stories that attach. I hope to share some of them with all three of my grandsons.

CHERRIL DOTY is an artist, writer, and teacher who embraces the mystery and magic of all that is life. She can be reached at (714) 745-9973 or by email at cherril@cherrildoty.com. For more information, visit cherrildoty.com.