Vivien grew up in the southern hemisphere so a “white Christmas” meant something completely different from what it means in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, Christmas time is not snow-time, but beach-time!
One of Vivien’s favorite memories from childhood is going to the beach with her father, Alec. The Cape Peninsula has the distinction of being surrounded by not one, but two oceans — namely the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The Indian Ocean has a warm current, making the water warm and the Atlantic Ocean has a cold current, making the water cold. Alec’s preference was the Indian Ocean because he truly loved swimming in the sea, and of course warm is better than cold when it comes to swimming. Vivien also preferred going to the Indian Ocean, because that meant going to the beaches where she could collect shells.
One Christmas Day, Vivien and her father went to the beach together quite early in the morning, to beat the crowds. Appropriately they chose Sunrise Beach. Vivien was thrilled because that’s where the best shells were. Together, they put their towels down on the sand and then Vivien asked her dad if she could go collect shells. Her dad said “yes” so she set off on her walk, with a cheerful wave to her father as he went for his first swim of the day.
What a perfect morning! It was warm and sunny but not yet hot. There was no wind, and a tide had washed a super-duper pile of shells onto the beach. It was fantastic. Vivien was completely enthralled in growing her shell collection and didn’t feel how much time was passing, nor what kind of distance she was walking. When she finally looked up and took stock of her surroundings, she realized she was lost. More and more people had arrived on the beach, because that’s what Capetonians do on Christmas Day, and all that Vivien could see was crowds of people with their families, sitting safely under beach umbrellas. She could not see her daddy. She turned to walk back in the direction that she had come, but after walking and walking and walking what seemed to be an inordinately long way, she still could not find her daddy. She got terribly scared and upset and burst into tears.
A woman on the beach saw that a little girl was crying and went to help her. “What’s the matter?” she asked. “I can’t find my daddy,” Vivien wailed, “I was collecting shells and I wandered too far and now I can’t find him.”
“Oh no,” said the woman, “that’s no good, let’s go find him.” The woman took Vivien’s hand and together they walked down the beach in the right direction. Quite soon, a figure appeared purposefully walking towards them. “There’s my daddy!” Vivien shouted, and ran into his arms. Vivien will never forget how it felt to see her father again, how sweetly he smiled, how much she could feel his love and how safe he felt.
Vivien will also never forget how it felt to be helped by a complete stranger. This kindness proved to be an inspiration for life, and a true Christmas experience!
Vivien Schapera is an award-winning Teacher, Practitioner and Writer living in Cincinnati, OH USA. In private practice for over 40 years, she is also the founder of three schools, and the author of numerous blogs, vlogs, and books, including Everyday Magic and The Complete Guide to Crystal Surgery.
Find out more at www.CrystalHealingTechniques.com.
Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - December 2024.
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