What Can We Learn from a Message in a Bottle: Live and Love
I saw the words, “message in a bottle”. Instantly, I was intrigued. I have always loved the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, and I found the love story beautifully brought to life on the big screen. As I read on, however, I realized this story was about a very different kind of love.
A young woman, enjoying an afternoon swim in the ocean, recovered a small, corked bottle that was approaching the shore. With anticipation, thinking popping the cork would most certainly reveal a rolled up, romantic, love-note, she gathered her family and friends to memorialize the event with pictures and with the reading of the message. As the story emerged, they quickly understood that sand was not in the bottle with the note. Ashes, all that remained from a man named Clif, were in that bottle alongside the tiny, green piece of paper inscribed with a heartfelt tribute. His sibling had written the note two years after Clif’s death, and it was clear that the struggle to go on without him had been difficult to bear. One of Clif’s wishes, the note explained, was honored with the act of committing him to the sea, his vessel – the tiny, corked bottle - so that his spirit could fulfill his dream of living on the beach. The note also expressed the living sibling’s painful confession of being lost, while loving and missing him still. In that short epistle, there was, simultaneously, so much sorrow and hope – so much love within the pain. Family was everything.
Family was - and is - everything for the Tarlton family, who had been preparing for their Myrtle Beach vacation and upcoming photo shoot with me. They were quickly reminded how precious family is. Just a few days before they were to leave for their trip, Randy and Ann Marie’s youngest son, Braden, was hospitalized for several days. Such an experience has a profound impact on a family, and as we were discussing plans for the photo session that was now even more special than before, it was clear that Ann Marie wanted their beautiful, blended family to be lovingly featured as a unit and as the unique and precious individuals that they are. We were able to capture those special moments - Braden’s personality coming to life as he played in the sand and sang out “Thursday” when I was trying to get him to smile. Madison lit up as she twirled with her Dad and walked with him on the beach. Savannah rocked it like a model when we were shooting on the dock. Randy and Ann Marie were surprised – and sweet – as I focused on just the two of them. These captured moments are priceless.
I am sure that Clif and his nameless sibling would tell all of us not to take life for granted, to live each moment to its fullest. I am sure they would tell us to savor the moments with the ones that we love – to capture them – because we can never know when it is time for our ship to sail.
Blessings ~
Lisa