In Cape Town, where I currently live, we have experienced a rather unusually cold and wet winter. So when the sun and blue skies made a welcome appearance on the weekend I decided to get myself down to the beach.
I\’m so glad I did. It was thoroughly rejuvenating and it reminded me of how easy nature makes it to get a little joy into our lives … if we will let it!
Yesterday I happened upon an inspirational story – a true story – called The Beach, written by a man called Robert Peterson, that brought tears to my eyes while perfectly reinforcing my experience.
I\’d like to share it with you today.
[box type=\”shadow\”]\”Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.\”
– Helen Keller[/box]
The Beach by Robert Peterson
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. \”Hello,\” she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. \”I\’m building,\” she said. \”I see that. What is it?\” I asked, not really caring. \”Oh, I don\’t know, I just like the feel of sand.\” That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. That\’s a joy,\” the child said. \”It\’s a what?\” I asked. \”It\’s a joy, my mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.\” The bird went gliding down the beach. \”Good-bye joy,\” I muttered to myself, \”hello pain,\” and turned to walk on. I was depressed; my life seemed completely out of balance. \”What\’s your name?\” She wouldn\’t give up. \”Robert,\” I answered. \”I\’m Robert Peterson.\” \”Mine\’s Wendy….I\’m six.\” \”Hi, Wendy.\” She giggled. \”You\’re funny,\” she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me. \”Come again, Mr.. P,\” she called. \”We\’ll have another happy day.\”
The days and weeks that followed belonged to others; a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. \”I need a sandpiper,\” I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly, but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared. \”Hello, Mr. P,\” she said. \”Do you want to play?\” \”What did you have in mind?\” I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. \”I don\’t know, you say.\” \”How about charades?\” I asked sarcastically. Her tinkling laughter burst forth again. \”I don\’t know what that is.\” \”Then let\’s just walk,\” I said. Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. \”Where do you live?\” I asked. \”Over there.\” She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter. \”Where do you go to school?\” \”I don\’t go to school. Mommy says we\’re on vacation.\” She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to the beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home. \”Look, if you don\’t mind,\” I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, \”I\’d rather be alone today.\” She seemed unusually pale and out of breath. \”Why?\” she asked. I turned to her and shouted, \”Because my mother died!\” and thought, \”My God, why was I saying this to a little child?\” \”Oh,\” she said quietly, \”then this is a bad day.\” \”Yes,\” I said, \”and yesterday and the day before and – oh, go away!\” \”Did it hurt?\” she inquired \”Did what hurt?\” I was exasperated with her, with myself. \”When she died?\” she asked. \”Of course it hurt!\” I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn\’t there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door. \”Hello,\” I said. \”I\’m Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was.\” \”Oh, yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I\’m afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies.\” \”Not at all-she\’s a delightful child,\” I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said. \”Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn\’t tell you.\” Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath. \”She loved this beach; so when she asked to come, we couldn\’t say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called \”happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly…\” Her voice faltered.
\”She left something for you…if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?\” I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with \”Mr. P\” printed in bold, childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues – a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY. Tears welled up in my eyes and a heart that had almost forgotten how to love opened wide. I took Wendy\’s mother in my arms. \”I\’m so sorry, I\’m so sorry, I\’m so sorry.\” I muttered over and over, and we wept together.
The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words – one for each year of her life – that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color of sand – who taught me the gift of love.
Wow this brought me to tears, I find it incredible the strength dying people have to stay bright and look at life in such a way that In our darkest times we don’t even appreciate. Truly thought provoking and makes you realise what life is all about – bringing joy into our hearts!
Indeed it does – thanks for your contribution, Natalie
I wept too when reading this loving story – the most important thing in life is to spread our love to others
Thanks for this Bill, a good reminder to take care of what’s important in life and not be caught up in the business everyday living
Thank you Bill for sharing this inspiring story. I have learned to concentrate on what matters most in life by giving love and be joyful always.
Inspiring story Bill, which made me weep too. We are often too busy to see the REALLY important things in life, like a beautiful sunset, gorgeous beach. We are to busy rushing around with the “business” of living. Having lost a daughter made us realise what is really important….the dust on the mantelpiece doesn’t matter, but spending quality time with family and friends does. Therein lies our wealth !
Great thought – thanks Cherri!
Wow!
Bill, your story is so sad ,though very factual. In real life we have this common habit of ignoring God’s call through other people. but don’t blame yourself. It happens. This is discovery learning to all those who managed to read your story and related it to their past and the present.
Thank you once again. Prescious
Phew, Bill, what a moving story. Isn’t it ironical how, so often in life, those who carry burdens so much heavier than ours, are the ones who give so effortlessly of themselves. When one finds someone, be that person a stranger, a friend or a loved one, who TRULY takes the time to listen and to spend time communicating (especially when there is “nothing in it for them”), then one should take note, since they are life’s treasures.
So true – thank you Karen!
Hi Bill, An inspirational, but sad story, and as always a strong lesson for us all. I truly believe that the greatest gift that we can give to everyone is our happiness. Wendy, despite her condition, and her last days, gave her happiness to Rob unconditionally, and sadly he in many respects chose to ignore it, too wrapped up in his own issues to accept her gift.
I wonder how often , throughout our lives, we have all been like Rob was at that time, ignoring our loved ones and friends when they want to give and share their happiness. I remember a close friend of mine who died of brain cancer in his forties, a passionate rock climber, well known in SA for his exploits. Despite his ability to climb the hardest climbs he was always willing to share his love of climbing with anyone, and would willingly take people like myself up what for him were the easiest of routes. When I was asked like many others to write something about him on a website dedication, the immediate thing that came to mind was that he truly did give his happiness to everyone who chose to embrace it
Thank you for the great example John!
That made me weep and brought all my current difficulties into perspective. When we have health and the ability to enjoy the beauty of the world and others we have everything. I am counting all my blessings.
Katy
Your story really touched me today. I lost a beautiful daughter during her first year Phys. Ed. at Stellenbosch University.
She LOVED the beach too – I can still hear her laughter ringing out as she leaped ballet jumps in the white sand. Your story nearly opened up a scab……but…tears have huge healing hidden in each drop. Thank you………..
That’s terribly sad … but perhaps your daughter was instrumental in bringing this story to your attention today 🙂 The world works in intriguing and magical ways. Thank you for commenting Ronel.
Hi Bill
What a beautiful story. Time for a reality check ….
This was an incredibly moving and powerful piece. Sometimes we are striving so hard to excel in great and hopefully meaningful ways that we forget to look inside, grow and nurture what already lies within.
This is very true and I spend a lot of my time encouraging people to ‘go within’ to find the solutions. Ironically though, we sometimes become so wrapped up in our own issues that we forget to look outside and acknowledge those inspirations from nature or others that are sent to help us!
What can one possible say to a story like this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Bill, that story puts all our problems into perspective. We have to be grateful for what we have, problems and all
… And not to pass by on those opportunities to inject a little joy into our situations when they arise!
I have been extremely busy the last few weeks and have been feeling quite frazzled and ‘Peterson-like’. Now i am weeping into a cup of tea at this beautiful, heart-breaking story. It is such a reminder about the important moments that happen no matter what else is happening in your day. Thank you for sharing this.
Wow – what a lovely story – made me cry and just puts everything into perspective! We have so much to be grateful for! 🙂
Hi Bill
Thank you so much,
Bryn
Yes, indeed – thanks Rhona