Dear T,
Went for a very chilly walk on the beach to sort of clear my head. Lots of shells out, so I found myself looking for those. (Thankfully, my coat had deep pockets!) It's a rather mindful activity for me, so I think it helped.

I kept instinctively wanting to throw back the shells that weren't perfect, then wondered why I was doing that, like it was very clearly a metaphor. I used to look for shells with my mom--perhaps she taught me that? I mean, it would fit, expectations of perfection in me.

Also, I've thought lately about asking you for the original stone back (and I'd give you back the one I had), especially after thinking I noticed it on the table near me Friday. I know before I thought it had bad juju, but now I realize that maybe it could be a symbol of how we'd (and I'd) gone through difficult times, but made it through. It's a weird analogy, but it's not like couples go out and buy a new wedding ring after a fight (maybe after a separation or something).

This went through my mind as I was walking a dune crossing heading back to the road. I looked down, and what did I see? A very similar stone. Similar shape, with the same cream-colored line bisecting it. Which I took before as symbolic that there was a bond, yet we were separate (or that we were separate, yet there was a bond). A sign? I know, there are likely plenty of rocks like that. But something led me to take that rather meandering path back to the road rather than the more direct one. So maybe I'll just hold onto that one instead?

Love you,
LT