“Some treasures are hidden beneath the waves—and some are found within the heart.”
Growing up, my twin sister and I shared everything—our thoughts, our fears, and all the little adventures that made our bond so special. We often talked about writing stories based on the places we lived and the animals we loved along the way. The Sacred Sea Turtle came from one of those memories.
I’ll never forget our trip to Kauai, Hawaii. The beauty of the island, the sound of the waves, and how exotic and different it was from anywhere else. It was peaceful, but also exciting. What stood out the most was the first time I went snorkeling. I was nervous, maybe even a little scared. I’d never done anything like it before. But my sister was fearless. She encouraged me, stayed close, and reminded me that I didn’t have to be perfect, just willing to try.
That moment stayed with me. I realized that sometimes fear only lives in our minds, and when we move through it, we discover something amazing. If I hadn’t been brave enough to try, I would have missed out on one of the most beautiful experiences of my life—seeing a sea turtle swim right in front of me, so calm and graceful.
That sea turtle inspired Honu, the character in this story. To me, he represents the calm wisdom and gentle spirit that reminds us to move with care, but to always stand up for what matters.
This story is about finding the courage to help those who need us, and how that choice can bring strength, healing, and a deeper kind of joy to everyone involved.
With love,
Marsha
