Time flies and months later they are enjoying another walk down their favorite beach after a romantic dinner. The wind picks up, and he gives her his jacket when she shivers. Suddenly, he drops to one knee and presents a beautiful engagement ring. With tears of joy in her eyes, she accepts and he slowly slips the ring onto her finger. The day of their wedding finally arrives, and everthing is perfect; but they have eyes only for each other. He is handsome in his suit. She is radiantly beautiful in her wedding gown. Her only adornment -- the shell he gave her on their walk down the beach. She had it made into a necklace.
A few short years later God blessed them with a child. And to her seashell necklace he added another tiny shell -- eventually four in all. The years moved on and they aged. Physical beauty waned, but still they had eyes only for each other. Until one day, death temporarily separated him from her. She wept quietly, missing him but thanking God for the wonderful years they had together. And on his grave she left one final gift -- the beautiful, perfect seashell. 9 August 2004 11:17 PM
