Boys and I in Westport WA thanks to Peepa (gramps) and we are going fishing! Got here a little early so decided to play in the water. Big boys played and I combed the beach. Always loved the sand dollar, probably because my mom loved them so much, and since this summer has been a lot about my moms health, I loved that I found not just one, but three sand dollars!
Folklore (source: Wikipedia)
A variety of imaginative associations have been made by idle beachcombers who run across the bleached skeletons of dead sand dollars. The tests are sometimes said to represent coins lost by mermaids or the people of Atlantis. Christian missionaries found symbolism in the fivefold radial pattern and dove-shaped internal structures. ‘Aristotle’s lantern’ has been discerned in the distinctive perforations of keyhole sand dollars.
The Legend of the Sand Dollar
There’s a lovely little legend
that I would like to tell,
of the birth and death of Jesus,
found in this lowly shell.
If you examine closely,
you’ll see that you find here,
four nail holes and a fifth one,
made by a Roman’s spear.
On one side the Easter lily,
its center is the star,
that appeared unto the shepherds
and led them from afar.
The Christmas Poinsettia
etched on the other side,
reminds us of His birthday,
our happy Christmastide.
Now break the center open,
and here you will release,
the five white doves awaiting,
to spread Good Will and Peace.
This simple little symbol,
Christ left for you and me,
to help us spread His Gospel,
through all Eternity.
