About The Sign

My wife and I were vacationing at Kiawah Island, just outside of Charleston, SC. We were scheduled to attend out first adoption class later that week. The events in the The Sign happened just prior to us returning to Atlanta, and embarking on a new chapter in our life. During a break at the adoption agency I was wandering down the halls and stumbled onto this story, framed hanging prominently on the wall.

Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.

The man was struck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.

As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"

I called my wife over and we just stood there and wept. We had been seeking assurance during this entire process. Something to confirm that we were making the right choice. It is a hard thing to accept, not being able to conceive a child of your own. But after reading this our course seemed more certain than ever. Some may see this as a sign, others as a sheer coincidence. For us, it validated everything that we had struggled to reconcile in our minds and gave us peace to pursue this process with an open heart. We truly felt that this happened for a reason, and this was our sign.

The Sign

The sun's radiance signals a new day
A delicate breeze wafts from the ocean
The gentle sound of waves crashing on the shore
The soft touch of sand at their feet

Two lovers set out to experience creation
To commemorate their union
To embrace the day together

Their hands entwined
As they stroll along the waters edge
Casting gazes at one another
Occasionally peering to the horizon

They feel the warmth on their backs
The wind in their hair
The water at their feet
The stir of their spirits

They spot something in the sand
A star fish cast away
Helpless, grasping for life
It's life force about to expire

The man kneels
Gently lifts this creation
Wades into the water
And releases it back to its home

He feels hopeful that life will be restored
oyous for this opportunity of grace
His soul mate commends his benevolence
And is moved by his sensitivity

They resume their walk
Continuing down their path
Commiserating the recent event
Returning their attention to one another

Before long a sight catches their attention
Another of God's creatures lies in the sand
Unable to return to the water
Dying slowly from the rays of the great star

The act is repeated
The couple ponder this significance
They wonder what other discoveries will be made
They begin again with uncertain anticipation

An astonishing sight is beheld
These two events are not isolated
A host awaits salvation
The pair commence their work

Each fragile life
Cast aside by the powers that be
Dependent on someone else
Longing for a gentle touch

Unable to live on its own
Requiring care and nurturing
Love and compassion
Needing to feel the security of home

In time, the relevance of this episode is revealed
The event is symbolic
God's greatest creation needs saving
It is a child

The couple, who have tried to conceive
All attempts a futile effort
Recognize God's message
And embark on an arduous journey

Reconciled to Fate
Knowing their lives are guided by Love
And this unselfish act
Will Bless them beyond imagination

If you or someone you know is considering adoption as a means to complete their family, please share the following link. My wife and I used this agency while pursuing the adoption process.

[Return to Poetry]