what a surprise and delight
it was to meet peter
(who is known as jonathan when in trouble)
the proprietor of a tiny shop near the beach.
how was i to know
that he was
a visiting nurse
a gentle spirit
a master
of local lore, directions, recommendations
who worries about what will happen to his store
when he is gone
and wonders
if the people who take it over
will be able to make enough money
in spite of some adversity
he was brimming
with happiness and passion
as we spoke at length
about the joys of sea glass
with all of its pits and scratches and imperfections
that only serve to prove
it’s the real thing
having survived
a long and challenging journey
having arrived at last
on a soft and sandy shore
collected by hands
that appreciate it for all of its beauty
exactly as it is
and he was extraordinary.
“for me, the difference between an ‘ordinary’ and an ‘extraordinary’ person
is not the title that person might have,
but what they do to make the world a better place for us all.”
-jody williams
—
wells, maine – august 2019
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
I suspect you are the type of person who learns the life story of many people.
Enjoy your vacation?
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Yes, I love to do so, and it was a wonderful trip-
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Small shopkeepers are often such an unrecognized repository, so great you found one. You both are richer now. And I’ve been enamored of sea glass for decades! I even wrote a poem about it and people once.
https://theimpetuarian.com/2014/08/03/the-soliloquy-of-sea-glass/
That shop looks fun 🙂
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Yes, the are often such interesting people, and his store is charming. I love sea glass too and thank you so much for sharing your lovely poem ❤️
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Sounds a gentle person
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Very
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😊
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jay!!! (when I wish open your site, the server tells me that it isn’t a trustworthy site and that I shouldn’t open it…. is it the fact that you share publicity and ads?)
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Don’t know, those are ads placed there by WordPress, I don’t gave advertisers
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WHAT? You are not paid anything for those ads? Something is seriously wrong here. If WE, the readers, must put up with your ads, it’s YOU who sd get something for it, not WP!!! I’d check that out for sure, if I were you.
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It’s the option for being on their platform with no additional costs
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Good Morning, Beth. Thank you for this. I love it . . . and Wells is near where my family vacationed for many years.
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Congratulations for discovering this extraordinary man and his rare place in our world, Beth.
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The pleasure was mine
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🙂 very cool
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Thank you
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a beautiful human – like you!
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Thanks!
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That was a good one today, Beth. Particularly heartwarming. Thanks for sharing that encounter with the rest of us.
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Thank you so much
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Lovely recognition of someone with a special gift
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He sure has one
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That’s a great thing to do, meeting people, having a special time with them. Hope you’re good.
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thanks, so much, and I am!
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Hi Beth, How are you ?
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I am indeed, thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome, Hope you had a great day?
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A terrific post!
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Thank you so much, john
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Our interactions with others are such gifts, aren’t they?
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Absolutely, yes
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It is wonderful how one can have a meaningful conversation with a total stranger.
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It really is –
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👍
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thanks for telling the story of Phillip, and of the journey of sea glass!
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My pleasure, Jim
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This, person/shop/attitude, was a magnificent find Beth!
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Yes, to all of that
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It is lovely to get to know shopkeepers more and chat a while, it is part of a vacation I find, and so enjoyable.
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yes, it is a really wonderful part of a trip –
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How wonderful! Love those sort of meetings.
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Yes, they always make me happy
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It takes one extraordinary person to know another one, beth.
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❤️
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How wonderful! Meeting such people is a life changing blessing.
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It really is, Jennie
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Yes!
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