By Sandy Ratliff Dear Heavenly Father–There are many similarities between St. Mary and most mothers. She had high expectations for her child’s success, she worried about His ‘disobedience’ when He remained at the temple,...

The beach was deserted and still this morning; I couldn’t see another person within view. As I made my way along the shore, I saw a dolphin break water beside me, just beyond the...

I love to watch children on the beach.  They approach the water with such energy and enthusiasm, rushing to splash into the foam, then stopping suddenly as they feel the power and surge of...

I received a letter from an old friend today.  Her health is not good, and I worry about her future.  I don’t want things to change!  Living on an island I have grown accustomed...

 As I walked today, my bare arms absorbed the sun’s warmth.  I felt the cold of a hard winter melt away.  Here on the island we take warmth for granted, but not all are...

After a busy weekend, my beach walk reveals the trash of abandoned drinks—plastic and glass bottles, smooth plastic or foam cups, cooler jugs that have been broken and left behind. Each of these must...

Tomorrow is a “big town” shopping day. We will make the nearly 200 mile round trip foray into the city to stock up on groceries and supplies that are difficult to find on the...

This week’s rough wind and waves have torn piles of sea grapes and left them strewn on the shore. I picked my way along their drying heaps thinking of how unattractively they litter the...

On occasion I’ve been at local shops and overheard a visitor say, “Just another perfect day in Paradise!” I smile because it does seem like Paradise, this beautiful island set in a turquoise sea,...

Sometimes I collect an unfamiliar shell on my beach walk to bring home and identify. As I examine the photographs and paragraphs detailing the unique specifics of various shells, I’m overwhelmed with my lack...