As I strolled the lonely, mistygray beach, I looked as
always for heart shaped rocks. They bring back sweet memories of small boys and
girls who upon finding one would triumphantly race to me shouting “I found one
for you!” and I search the sand diligently on every beach walk, always hoping
to find another heart. 
So I walked along keeping a sharp eye out for hearts,
but instead found a struggling dragonfly, trapped in the mud of sand and
seawater. Tail was embedded by half,
wings almost plastered down but a feeble movement of its little head surprised
me, so I gingerly nudged it with my finger to see if I could dislodge it. The
tail came free, but the wings were still stuck down. Another little nudge –
those wings are gossamer delicate and I wasn’t sure how gentle I had to be. One
nudge too many and I flipped it right over onto its back – “yikes! What have I
done?? “ Somersaulting across the sand
by accidental assault was not intended so I much more slowly maneuvered the
tiny body upright, and was relieved that no damage was apparent.
Never much of a bug lover, I was admittedly a bit squeamish
about picking it up and I truly was concerned with smashing a wing or injuring
a thread-thin leg. However, rescue wasn’t going to be successful unless my
little rescuee was removed from the watery, sticky sand so I very carefully
picked up the glob of mud under it so I didn’t squish any nether parts, and
transported all to a nearby log.
Once set down, the dragonfly perked up a bit
and lifted its tail and fluffed up its wings, but chose to just sit right there
next to me. Well, for a minute, but then it kept crawling towards me which
freaked me out a little bit because I didn’t really want it crawling up my arm.
I figured it wasn’t going to bite (dragons don’t bite, do they?) and so I
picked it up. I tried to warm it by holding it close to me and then draping my
jacket over my hand, but it didn’t seem to like that. Claustrophobic maybe? So
we just sat there on the log watching the waves and savoring the sea, my
dragonfly friend and me, for about a half hour. Dragonfly was showing no signs
of leaving me, and was diligently grooming its head with both front legs. As we
were becoming fast friends, I took some close-ups of it – perhaps as a calendar
pinup? Lovely lavender eyes, a big goofy grin that bordered on cartoonish, and
those seriously amazingly webwoven wings. A long tail with brown and orange
bands, and six very hairy legs.
Fascinating creature.
The mist began to thicken and the sky and sea became the
same gray so it was time to head back to the warmth of the cottage I had
rented. Thinking as I walked along that Dragonfly would eventually catch the
wind and flit away, I held up my hand to encourage flight. No way. Dragonfly
was securely attached to my forefinger, showing no interest in takeoff. Some
passing children were curious about my hitchhiker, and came close to examine
it. They examined me too. How many women ‘of a certain age’ do you see
carefully chaperoning a lost little dragonfly back to safety? They were very
interested in the plight of the Dragonfly, and looked me as though I was a
little odd. Perhaps so.
We crossed the ridge of sand dune, up and over and through
the tall waving sea grass, and I thought maybe upon seeing the grass (with a
whole lot of purple eyes) that off it would go. Not yet. Still holding on
tightly and just along for the ride it went; I wondered if it was enjoying the
sense of travel but not having to work at it? How must it feel to ride on the
chilly finger of a giant so powerful that it could crush you with almost just a
flick – was it feeling like it had conquered the colossus?
As I reached the hydrangea-goal that was in an area recessed
from the wind, I sadly encouraged my Friend to dismount onto a blue bloom, and
said farewell. I felt badly about leaving it there, but acknowledged that while
it didn’t really belong inside the cottage, at least I had found a fairly safe
shelter for its continued recuperation from the trials of the day.
I typically do not think of myself in Dragonfly terms – a being
with enormous power and energy which can be harnessed to serve a small and
fairylike soul. No matter how small the soul, no matter the energy required, I
was pleased to provide the service. Or was it the Dragonfly who served me and
allowed me the blessings of forgetting and of remembering that sometimes I’m
the one stuck in the mud? To those who save me when I am stuck – bless you.
As it was, I did find a heart and made a small friend - forever
and all. The name of that place is changed: It will ever be DragonFly Beach~
