Sea Turtles and Stars

I've lived without the stars for a long time, and sea turtles forever. When I look back to coming to this beach, my dearest memory will be the stars- I know that. I look forward to the night. I love all that I can see and try to pull them into me. I imagine a blanket of sky and wrap the world around and through me so that I can kiss each one. Nine thirty is awfully late though, and I hit the hay shortly after their rising....but.
I wake up nice and early excited for the day and enjoy sitting on the porch in the dark saying hello to all the stars that I missed the night before. This morning, coffee cup in hand, Winslow and I make our sleepy way to the porch when I see a group of folks out there in the sand with flashlights. How do you get 6 people on the beach at 0430? Sea Turtles! The babies were hatching from a nest just west of the cottage porch and the volunteers were there to help and protect them. The moon was bright on the Gulf of Mexico shining a path for them to take into the water. Lightening flashed from a thundercloud in the distance revealling the little paddlers on the shore. A hundred of them clumsily making their premier! This is a magical place and I am careful to breathe lest I interupt. I feel honored this morning to be on the planet and a part of this delicate dance.