“Every beautiful shell from the sea is a treasured gift” – I’ve said that countless times after admiring the amazing architecture, color and patterns of shells and bling that have washed up at my feet while taking a walk on the beach. I feel like I receive another wonderful gift when I meet folks who appreciate those same awesome gifts from the great Mother Nature.
Nicole, Dennis, Jesse and Sophie from Oregon gave me that gift last week… which was being able to hang out with this is one awesome family!
The moment 5 year old Sophie’s feet hit the sand, she barely had time to look up as she picked up one fascinating shell after another.
She already knew lots of the shell names too since she and her family had been studying up on the types of shells they might find on this very special Make-A-Wish trip to Sanibel.
The whole family told me they loved seeing all of the live creatures on or around the island… like DOLPHINS, MANATEES, TURTLES and the BIRDS but I think Jesse especially liked the ALLIGATORS (Ack! haha) in Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and little critters like this HAIRY CRAB on the beach (maybe its a Pilumnus sayi ?) . I’ve seen lots of these little hairy guys in the SPONGES lately.
Jesse pulled these shells and beach bling aside to show me that his favorite finds from the beach were the smallest of treasures. Dont you just love that his faves are the tiniest ones?
Nicole and Sophie picked out a few of their favorite beach treasures … trying to just pick the best of each species (from a massive pile of shells they collected- haha). It wasn’t easy for them to pick just a few!
As I oohed and aaahed over Dennis’s SCOTCH BONNET, ALPHABET CONE and GAUDY NATICA, Nicole told me that picking out a few shells and arranging them makes each one just a special as the moment you found them. I couldn’t agree more. Together we made a masterpiece (with an ANGEL WING butterfly Nicole arranged with WORM SHELL antennas- heehee) using their favorite shells and beach bling collected on their trip.
These are special peeps whom I will have special memories with for a very long time.
Last week was a little chilly but they didn’t mind a bit- They are so stinkin silly and fun!
I hope they look back on their Sanibel trip as Spectacsheller!
I know I will… as I feel like I’ve been touched by an ANGEL.
A big THANK YOU to Make-A-Wish for making it possible for Sophie and her family to come to Sanibel, Florida.
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Hi, Pamela. What a lovely, touching of post. Miss u, girl.
What a wonderful family! I wish the family all the best. They found some great shells! What is the big beautiful white roundish shell above the fig in the “masterpiece” arrangement?
its a Scotch Bonnet!!!!!! Sooooo beautiful, right? :D
Thank you for sharing, Pam. I love your touching introduction to this beautiful family. Make a wish is a blessing to so many!!
Oh Pam….how wonderful of you to be part of Make A Wish! The shells are gorgeous as always! What beach were you all on?
Greetings from up north….thanks again for sending some shelling sunshine up our way!
How beautiful. I’m glad they found so many wonderful shells to commemorate their journey. All the best to this sweet family. Good job, Pam.
We were on the shelling cruise with Pam and this awesome family. Pam was wonderful with them (and all of us too) but really showed them special and caring attention. Always feel I am privileged to be part of shelling with Pam and her amazing knowledge. Thanks, Pam.
Ditto, what Sis Martha said! Made our trip even more special. That family has the shellers eye…great finds. Thanks again Pam and Make a Wish.
Ah, very nice Pam. :)
in this case you made the wish come true in such a special way I’m glad they did very for all included the angel wing was an omen of good things to come you and clark are really special because you share your life and knowledge with friends and strangers treating them all the same god bless you both.
what a blessing to be a part of a Make a Wish family. So happy they had a memorable time and found amazing shells. You continue to impress me with all that you do.
I must tell you that I have your same passion for shelling. It not only brings me ‘gifts” but a spiritual connection I cannot find anywhere else. One example is in November when Gulf City Beach had so many conchs along with the smelly sprits(?) I picked up hundreds (also threw back as many), and each one was so different from the next. I am still going through them and getting chills about the experience.
Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Hope to see you in the Spriing.
You make everyone you meet feel so special. Sophie will have many wonderful memories to share with friends back in Oregon. The shells they found were fabulous. I believe there were 2 angels on the beach–cute Sophie and you. Your shelling spirit and outgoing personality make us all feel touched by the angel that you are. May God bless sweet Sophie and her family through a difficult journey. God bless you for all you do.
Oh my, tears are a rollin’! I’m having Pam Rambo withdrawals…! <3 Thank you, Pam, for being so genuine! We loved our time on Sanibel and the experiences that we had with you just put it over the shelly top! Your connections brought out the generosity in others too, it was all just amazing!!!
Special thanks to Darrell of Salty Sam's Sight Sea-R Cruises of Fort Meyers (for the complimentary cruise for our family) and John Thomas of Qwik Pack & Ship on Sanibel for shipping home to us the Gulf's shellalicious bounty! And, of course, to Pam and Clark for Just. Being. AWESOME!
Sincerely and with great affection for the Rambos (and iloveshelling.com community!),
The Comfort Family
Dennis, Nicole, Jesse and SOPHIE
<3 Much thanks to Make A Wish for the opportunity to have connected with Pam and all of Sanibel's (and nearby island's!) goodness in the first place. Make A Wish provided us with a great trip north to Cayo Costa under Capt Brian Holaway (Hi Brian!) too and C.R.O.W. made time to give Sophie a special tour of their facilities before we departed!
(Pam, if "tags" are allowed feel free to tag away! :D)
Did I mention I’m having Pam Rambo withdrawals…? ;D
Thanks, Pam, as I know we didn’t just walk away with a great experience but a new friend.
Merry Christmas Rambos!
Oh, and the gift coupons from SeaLife by Congress on Sanibel that Pam gave us were wonderful also! We upgraded a bit (you could easily have just got a free or nearly free pendant) and they gave us such excellent service regardless of whether we spent some or none! We saw quite a few of the shellers from our cruise later there too. Cool! :)
Did y’all know too (catch that southern slang?)…that Sophie found the one angel wing by herself and another sheller gave her the other (later without knowing of the one Sophie found, to my knowledge) and they matched perfectly in size! So if you are the one that gave it to her and are reading this speak up :) and THANK YOU. I’m going to mount them in a special shadow box. :)
Thank you beyond words for touching our family’s lives. These memories will last forever. Sophie is our angel. Jesse is a treasure. Our son married an outstanding lady. (Pam, you know all this already). God bless you. Grandma Betty and Grandpa Gene.
Pam, this post and your kindness just warms my heart. I am so pleased that Dennis, Nicole, Jesse and Sophie had such a lovely trip. It looks like the shelling was fantastic, but it’s also clear that wonderful friendships and memories were made. Sanibel truly is special and your enthusiasm for the island and shelling is contagious. So very very glad that the Comfort’s were able to experience the beauty of the island and the kindness of the community.
May God bless Sophie and her family.