Beachfront Property in Arizona?

Arizona has it all . . . well, nearly all. Scenic vistas galore? Check.

 

Glorious, 360-degree sunsets? Check.

 

Landscapes ranging from blazing deserts to snow-capped mountains? Check.

 

Beaches? Um . . . no. And that makes me a little sad. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a state where water is at a premium that I love beaches so much.

 

 

Any beach will do. I’ve walked along sandy stretches beside the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean, and they’ve all suited me just fine. As long as I can dig my toes in the wet sand, listen to the waves, and breathe in the scent of sea air, I feel like I’ve found my own little slice of heaven.

 

Over the years, we’ve tried to incorporate as many beach visits as possible into our family travel plans, but this year a summer vacation just wasn’t on the calendar. And I was okay with the idea of staying home . . . until I realized it meant I wouldn’t get my beach fix.

 

Or would I? Like one of those moments when a light bulb goes off over a cartoon character’s head, I jumped up and headed straight for the desk in my office.

 

What does an old rolltop desk have to do with sugar-fine sand and crashing waves? I’m glad you asked. ☺ On top of my desk is a shelf that holds treasures I’ve acquired over the years. The collection may not seem exciting to anyone else, but for me each object holds a special meaning.

 

 

 

There’s the china egg given to me by a dear friend shortly before she passed away . . . the small glass bowl filled with dried rose petals, a reminder of a special Mother’s Day bouquet from my son . . . the certificate with information about a star a friend named for me. And an assortment of beaches. Really.

 

Years ago, a friend who lived in our small town used to travel extensively through different parts of the country. Like me, she loved the ocean and visited beaches whenever she could. One year she came back from a trip with this little bottle of white sand topped off by a tiny chunk of driftwood.

 

 

My own little beach! I turned on a CD of ocean sounds (yes, I have several of those–I haven’t quite decided whether that’s whimsical or pathetic) and in a moment, I could almost smell the ocean breezes. Seeing how much I enjoyed her gift, my friend started bringing back a new “beach” for my collection whenever she made another trip.

 

 

Each time, she made the keepsake a little more elaborate than the one before.

 

 

Different containers, different sand, different shells–each one unique in its own way. But the same love and caring went into creating them.

 

Is holding one of my little beaches the same thing as actually standing on the seashore? Well, no. But there’s something about them that’s even more special than a visit to the coast. These aren’t just tokens of a setting I love, they’re a reminder of someone who loved me. Someone who took the time to collect all those items and create a gift I will always treasure.

 

Has anyone ever done something special like this to share their friendship with you? Or have you been the one to do that sharing in a creative way?

 

Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most. Thank you, Cheryl J, for your friendship–and for giving me years of beach enjoyment right here in Arizona!

 

Until next time,