The Day Hope Smiled at Me by alophoto

The Day Hope Smiled at Me

I am finally home and back where I belong. Home is good.

I had a great, but very full Christmas vacation in FL with Michael's family.

This time, I got to the beach twice (to make up for no beach trips which was devastating to me on our last trip).

One day we took a day trip to one of our favorite beaches, Clearwater, on the west coast of FL. There we visited an aquarium where Winter, the now famous dolphin from the movie Dolphin Tale, lives.

We were walking through a tunnel that had windows that looked into a tank. I thought that I saw a dolphin swimming around in there. We stood at one window for a moment and the kids were bored and ready to move on.

"Just one second, mama wants to take a photo!"

No sooner than I said this, the dolphin in the tank made a beeline for our small window and visited with us for a few moments. I described this occurance to a couple people and both said the same thing...that it was a God thing. I tend to agree.

And wonderfully, this sweet dolphin's name was Hope (like our pup). I love that Hope smiled on me that day. Best day in awhile:).
Welcome back!! What a fabulous shot!
December 29th, 2013  
Oh....Amanda I love this story. Especially the last lines,, of course!!! What a great shot and so happy that you were able to capture it!!!
December 29th, 2013  
FAV of course!!!
December 29th, 2013  
Fabulous capture, wondrous story and great to see you back on 365.
December 29th, 2013  
Amazing!!!
December 29th, 2013  
Not a perspective we usually see of a dolphin. Very cool.
December 29th, 2013  
Wonderful dolphin shot!! I love that it looked right at you -- and lucky you to get that great smile when he did look at you! I loved that movie.
December 29th, 2013  
nice
December 29th, 2013  
This makes me smile. They are such amazing animals. What a wonderful encounter you had with Hope.
December 29th, 2013  
I love dolphins and this is a beautiful image. Fav.
December 29th, 2013  
Very pretty capture!!
December 29th, 2013  
Amy
Lovely shot!
December 29th, 2013  
fabulous!
December 29th, 2013  
Jo
A magical moving moment and shot.
December 29th, 2013  
Fantastic capture in picture and words!! It's a Fav :)
Ending year one and wanted to thank you for being such a constant inspiration!! You're a Fav :)
December 29th, 2013  
@kevin365 Really appreciate your kind words, fave and support this year. So glad to meet a fellow bench addict, too. Thanks so much, Kevin. You sticking around? I will but in a lesser capacity. Year 3, time for more of a break!

@tracie8266 Thanks so much for that, Tracie!!

@eyesmile You are so sweet, my friend. Thank you!!!
December 29th, 2013  
ooooh! nicely done :)
December 29th, 2013  
Very nice!
December 29th, 2013  
Beautiful smile and great moment.
December 29th, 2013  
A beautiful capture!!
December 29th, 2013  
A beautiful smile of hope... yes a beautiful message... :-)
December 29th, 2013  
Meg
awww so sweet
December 29th, 2013  
Hello. I'm back after a little Christmas break. So pleased to hear your trip and Christmas were good. I love this shot. Fav xx
December 29th, 2013  
lovely capture! awesome POV! love his expression!
December 30th, 2013  
Fav'lous!!
December 30th, 2013  
Beautiful dolphin.
December 30th, 2013  
Fabulous shot, I feel like I´m under water
December 30th, 2013  
sweeeeet!
December 30th, 2013  
I love dolphins (and manatees)........what a cute face :) FAV
December 30th, 2013  
@pixiemac Aw, thanks so much, lady!!

@friend2303 High five...thank you!!

@psychographer Thanks so much, sweet lady!
December 30th, 2013  
Love it.
December 31st, 2013  
Totally awesome capture and meant to be. This looks like you took it under water. Great face and they always look like they are smiling. FAV
December 31st, 2013  
Caz
Awesome ! What a great memory this day will be :)
December 31st, 2013  
Awww cute giant tuna!
January 4th, 2014  
@darsphotos Thanks for the fav, sweet lady.

@cazann Truly. Thanks, Caz!

@bobfoto Giant tunas are crazy big. I wonder how many cans of tuna one would fill? Not this kind of one, though. That is sick. She was gorgeous and so sweet to come over to us and right after I said I wanted a photo.
January 6th, 2014  
@amandal - All depends on what size tin we're talking? Those small individual sandwich size or the big family tuna-bake size?
January 6th, 2014  
@bobfoto Oh tuna casserole. Thanks for the reminder. Must make this week to help warm us up in the cold.
January 7th, 2014  
@amandal - Dolphin goes further for the dollar?
January 7th, 2014  
@bobfoto I'd only eat the non smiling, mean ones. Sheesh, I draw the line at elephant and only if it is on a buffet and on someone else's plate. Dolphins are far too sweet to eat. But, tuna...that's another story.
January 7th, 2014  
Pam
That is such a great moment! They are such amazing creatures. Awesome shot! Love his smile.
December 26th, 2014  
@pammerritt It was quite awesome and touching. I needed that that day:).
December 26th, 2014  
Yep. Much less sinister than the shark!
December 26th, 2014  
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