Favorite Things: Jingle Shells

The problem with owning many things is that it’s easy to forget that some of them exist. Whether they get accidentally buried under other things, or deliberately stowed away, or just plain overlooked, it’s all the same. They are wasted. It is therefore a good thing to be reminded of our forgotten belongings from time to time. And that’s something that children are good for, because they get into everything.

Livia was rummaging through my stuff one day when she found my bucket of jingle shells. For those who don’t know, jingle shells are translucent, opalescent shells from the sea. They come in a variety of shades ranging from white to yellow to orange. They may be flat or curved. Some come with natural holes, ready to be hung on a cord as jewelry. And some come with etchings on them, as if some sea creature had decided to write a note using its own undecipherable code. Jingle shells also make beautiful clinking sounds when they impact one another, which is probably how they got their name.

I picked up every single one of the shells in this bucket myself. I used to hunt for them as I walked up and down the beach at sunset. I spent many happy hours that way during my last year in Milford. And some unhappy hours, too. That was a tough time for me in a some ways, but I enjoyed my beach walks immensely and they helped to keep me on an even keel.

I love my jingle shells for their beauty, for the jingling sound that they make, and for the memories that they bring to mind. That is why they are some of my Favorite Things.