Open your heart to the magic found at the water's edge . . .

There are many places we can go to enjoy time with friends, to have an action-packed vacation, or to enjoy a little solitude, but none of them have the same ability to soothe our souls as the beach. Perhaps it's the magic portrayed by children building sand castles or the gentle sounds of lapping waves on the shore. Chicken Soup for the Beach Lover's Soul is filled with recollections of special moments that will be appreciated by anyone who has been mesmerized by the spell of the ocean.

Color photos of magnificent beach destinations across the United States , from the quaint, historic surroundings of Cape May , New Jersey , to the sultry scenes of Big Sur , California , capture the magic of America --from sea to shining sea.

This unique compilation conjures up memories of family beach outings, the joy of finding a spectacular seashell, young love discovered on the sand, and mature love rekindled at the seashore. Join us on this journey of beaches far and near and remember the fun and excitement you found there, and be inspired to create new memories.

UNDER THE BOARDWALK:
ON LOVE AND LEARNING TO LOVE,
COMPANIONSHIP, AND FRIENDSHIP

Tell me thy company and I will tell thee what thou art.
- Cervantes

Sand Prints

They walked along the shore,
arm in arm, hands entwined.
Pressed in warm, wet sand,
their footprints left behind.
It was their special time together,
on the beach at the end of the day.
Enjoying the beautiful sunset,
watching young children play.
Their heads are close together
as they plan their life ahead,
his arm goes around her shoulder
as they decide it's now time to wed.
She raises her face upward,
as if to receive a kiss,
a look of joy in her eyes,
as she dreams of wedded bliss.
He pulls her very close to him,
promising to keep her from harm
to provide a safe haven for her,
where she'd be loved, safe, and warm.
They walk off into that beautiful sunset,
arm in arm, their hands entwined,
as the tide creeps upon the shore,
erasing all those footprints left behind.
Tomorrow they will again return,
their path to trace once more,
leaving more footprints behind
on that sun-drenched gulf shore.

-- Pamela Gayle Smit

©2007. Pamela Gayle Smit. All rights reserved. Reprinted from Chicken Soup for the Beach Lover's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery, and Peter Vegso. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.