Continuing through the thick underbrush she came to a clearing, there it was. Her breath caught in her throat. For there before her unbelieving eyes were magnificent water falls. Not just one but three of them. As if it were man, woman and child. A large stream falling over the rocks, a medium stream cascading and a small stream beside its parents. Through the mist a full rainbow emerging. All the seagulls screaming and screeching above them, searching for fish. The entire scene was lush and luxuriant. The waterfalls, each of them were flowing over the rocks as you would imagine a long train on a bride's wedding dress descending many steps. The fabric hugging every step as she stepped down. As the water hit the pool below it was as if pools of light were emanating from it at the very spot. The falling water so white and the pool below so greeny-blue. She could not believe her eyes. For she had never seen such a sight before. How beautiful. Lush foliage growing down the rocks, framing each waterfall with its beauty. This is the way that she imagined paradise to be. The Garden of Eden, that she had read about so many times in her Bible. It was mesmerizing.
Hannah almost forgot herself. She was on a mission to get them water. Samuel was surely parched by now. She had to hurry. Not knowing how long they had been lying on the beach. One night, two nights, longer? First she could not resist bathing properly in fresh water. She felt quite alone. The pool was not deep. She wanted to get in the water and swim over to the waterfalls and stand under them like a spring shower. She started to remove her clothing but thought better to wash the clothes on her body first and then remove them in the water. Less energy to do it that way. She was exhausted. She jumped into the water.
It was refreshing. The water level was only to her chest. She half swam and half walked over to the waterfalls. The water was crystal clear and she could see every stone on the bottom. When she reached the waterfalls she allowed the water to spray on her head and shoulders and her back and face. It was invigorating. What a wonderful gift from God. Fresh, pure water, cool to the touch. Ending in a pool so calm and soothing to the soul. The colors were relaxing and soothing to the eyes. All the senses were replenished in this atmosphere. The water so clear she could see her feet magnified beneath her. As she stood there she felt something tickling her feet. Looking into the water she saw little fish nibbling on her toes. It again made her feel lighthearted and made her giggle.
She came out of the water completely energized and refreshed, body and soul. The jug had been laying on the shore and she rinsed it out and filled it with fresh water. She drank herself full under the waterfalls, so the water in the jug was for ....... 'Oh, yes, Samuel.' The jug was not large. Only a gallon. She could easily prop it on her shoulder and carry it back through the jungle to where 'Samuel' was lying.
Hanna hurried back to the beach, retracing the path she had made with the pieces of her dress. She smiled proudly at herself for thinking of that idea. It made the return effortless. She would also continue to use those markers to visit the falls very often for more water and bathing.
How amazing that they were surrounded by salt water and yet not so far from the salt water was fresh clean salt-less water that was life sustaining. What a marvel of nature!
She returned to see 'Samuel' in the same place. Stopping dead in her tracks her heart leapt to her throat as the thought went through her mind that he might have died while she was away.
Running to him she found he was still breathing, to her relief. First she took the bottom of her dress and wet it and wiped his face, this time with fresh water. That was so much better than salt water. Salt water is always sticky when it dries. Now he had a fresh face. Then she pried his mouth open and tried to slowly get some of the fresh water down his throat, drop by patient drop. He started to cough a little. She thought that was a good sign. A sign that there was some life in him still. She continued. His throat started drinking the water slowly. Very mechanically, without thought. It was his body reacting to what it needed.
