I have dear friends who are moving to Florida.
Linda and Joe Cahill have decided to begin the next chapter of their lives near Anna Maria Island, a place they’ve come to know and love.
While searching for a gift to let them both know how much their friendship has meant to me, I came across a plaque based on the story, “The Star Thrower,” by Loren Eiseley.
Loren Eiseley is featured in “Dare to Believe,” this month. He was an American anthropologist, philosopher, natural science writer, and educator. He taught and published books during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
Eiseley’s short story is a bit different from the plaque, but the sentiment is there. According to the story, Eiseley is walking along the beach as the tide rolls in sweeping countless numbers of sea creatures ashore where they will die unless they can find their way back to the water.
Also walking along the beach are collectors who scoop up the creatures to eat, sell at souvenir shops, or make part of their private collections. Eiseley sees one young man bending down picking up starfish and hurling them back into the sea.
Eiseley stops to ask what he’s doing. The man explains starfish have a particularly difficult time getting back in the water. Their tiny pores become stuffed with sand, and they often die. If he hurls them far enough into the ocean, they have a chance to live out their lives. All they need is a chance, and he’s determined to give as many starfish as possible the chance to survive. Some of the starfish that have washed up are already dead. He can’t help them, and he’ll leave them to the collectors. He doesn’t want the collectors taking live ones and letting them die in a bucket.
Eiseley wishes the young man good luck and continues his walk. That night he can’t stop thinking about the “star thrower,” the name he’s given the young man. There are so many creatures washed ashore and so many miles of coastline, how can the star thrower’s actions make a difference?
There’s a calmness and synchronicity to the star thrower. He’s there every day doing what his conscience bids him to do. He works in silence, never counting his good deeds, never assuming he’s saved a life, content to offer each starfish he throws back into the water a chance to survive. Content to make a difference to one starfish at a time.
In the story, Eiseley goes back to the beach the next day and begins hurling starfish back into the ocean. He’s decided to become part of this impossible task.
Linda and Joe have lived their lives as “star throwers,” helping wherever they can and inspiring others to do the same. Being good neighbors, loyal friends, and tireless volunteers, they have made a difference in the lives of countless people. Some were strangers they never met, others were privileged people like me who got the opportunity to know and love them.
While this is intended as a tribute to my wonderful friends, it’s also intended as a call to action for the rest of us.
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” The exact person who said this is unknown. Many similar quotes exist, and many people have uttered these words. It’s not enough to say them, we must live them.
Linda and Joe are among the star throwers of this world. Though we’ll keep in touch, they will be missed by their circle of friends, and their absence will be felt in our community. I envy their new neighbors in Florida. Linda and Joe will make a difference, one act of kindness at a time. I challenge everyone reading this to offer a helping hand where it’s needed and throw your stars as far as you can.