I love walking around the settlement of New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay. There’s almost always something interesting to see — kids sculling a dinghy or fishing near the ferry dock, a turtle feeding near the creek shore, dolphins playing in the harbour.
Earlier this year, while walking Wrigley, I watched a sweet little scene play out. It was a hot, muggy afternoon. A dozen or so local and visiting kids were hanging out at and diving from the freight dock at the western end of town.
After seeing the bigger kids dive from the top of a shipping container, a little boy asked his father if he could try. Dad said he could. (I can’t recall for sure, and I’m not saying the two facts are related, but I think this was around the time his mom left to run an errand…)
With a grin and a boost from his father, the boy clambered up. Dad followed.
And then the boy looked down. He shook his head. I couldn’t hear his words, but it was clear what he was thinking.
He made his way back to the edge of the container. He paced. He chewed his lip. There were several minutes of intense discussion. (I can’t say for sure, but there may have — may have — been tears.)
Eventually, though, he nodded. He took a deep breath and his father’s hand. And then…
Kudos, brave boy. You’ve got more nerve than me.
Real life caught in photos. How like the child-me, coached and encouraged by the Father of Love who offers His hand! I wonder what Wrigley thought… probably seen in a tail wag.
Hi my name is Ashley and these pictures you captured are of my son and my boyfriend I love the story you’ve put behind the images what great memories you’ve shared wondeing if you might have more from that day or how can u follow more of your stories and photographs
Thanks so much
Ashley Crain
From gtc (the Murphys)
Hi, Ashley. Glad you got in touch! I remember meeting you that day, though I couldn’t recall your name. Yes, I do have a few more photos from that day. My computer crashed and I’m not able to access them immediately, but I will email them to you as soon as I can. Could you drop me a note via the “Contact Me” link on the blog? Send me your email address (there seems to be a typo in the one you keyed in when posting your message) and I’ll email them to you. To follow the blog, just click on the “Follow” button in the top right hand column of the blog, key in your email address, and you’ll automatically get an email whenever I post a new article or photo. Thanks so much for getting in touch!