Sand, Shells and Sunscreen

The salty air blew Harper’s braided hair from her shoulders and Harley had to grab his hat from flying away. Perched at the front of the boat, they eagerly watched the island straight ahead of them come closer. 

It was Sunday and they were going Island hopping. Holding onto the boat with one hand, Harper clutched her shell bag ready to fill it with new treasures. Harley had his tucked beneath his knees, sand from their last adventure still falling out.

“Hold on, Kids,” Dad called as he beached the front of the boat.

Once given a thumbs up, the twins popped up ready to jump off, but Mom shouted, “Wait! Sunscreen!”

Always forgetting the routine drill, the twins set down their shell bags and walked to Mom. 

Harper took off her life jacket so Mom could get her shoulders without trouble. 

“Is that a new bracelet?” Mom asked as she rubbed in the lotion. 

Harper smiled proudly, “Yep, it’s from my friend Sophia, we traded on Valentine's Day.” 

“Sophia? Is that the new girl that you were trying to talk to?” 

Harper nodded, “You were right, she is still learning English. I am helping her now.” 

Mom patted her shoulders, signaling she was done with sunscreen, “I am so happy that you two are friends now.” She knew how much that meant to her daughter.

“Harper, wait for me!” Harley shouted, not wanting his sister to get a head start on shelling. After Mom finished the sunscreen, he was about to turn when she stopped him.

“Eh, not so fast, remember this?” She pulled out a long-sleeved blue sun shirt. 

“Come on, Mom, I’ll be fine. I’ll re-apply sunscreen as often as you want.”

Mom shook her head, “I’m sorry, Harley, but you have to wear this, it helps protect you.”

“That is what sunscreen does. Please? I don’t want to wear it.” His frustration was growing.

“Harley, do you remember what the Doctor said?” 

Harley saw his sister jump off the boat - she was going to get the best shells! “I don’t care what the doctor says, I don’t want to wear it!” He raised his voice.

Dad had been busy adjusting the boat, but that got his attention, “Woah - Son, that is no way to talk to your mother, you apologize right now.” 

Harley huffed and mumbled sorry. 

“Harley, come with me.” Mom directed, leading him off the boat and out of Harper’s earshot, “Now, what is really wrong? I know that you understood why the Doctors said you have to wear it.”

Harley kicked the sand with his toe and shrugged. A few weeks ago, he had gone to the Doctor for an itchy rash that wasn’t going away. They found out he has an allergic reaction to the sun called photosensitivity.

Looking up, he admitted, “I don’t want to be different.”

Mom pulled him into a hug. She saw Harper excitedly holding up a shell for Dad to see in the distance, “Harley, what is it about shelling that you enjoy so much?”

“Finding special shells.”

“What makes a shell ‘special’ to you?”

Harley looked down, “When they are rare, have neat colors, or a crack that makes it stand out.” He picked up a shell as an example.

“So you like the ones that are…different?”

Harley stared at the shell in his hand.

“Sweetheart, you are very much like the ‘special’ shells you seek. You are one-of-a-kind.” She picked up a handful of shells, “At first glance, they all look the same. But, when you look closely, each one is different - just like you and me. Your allergy doesn’t make you less special, it makes you more unique.”

Harley took the shirt, remembering how uncomfortable the rash had been and saw a shark on the front, his favorite animal. He hugged Mom, “Thank you.” He smiled before running to catch up with Harper, putting the shirt on as he went.

What is something special about you that is unique? At times, it might be hard to be different, but it is our differences that make us stronger. Your ‘something special’ is what makes you - YOU, and there will never be another you!