My name is Nerida and, like the proverbial letter-in-a-bottle that for centuries my kind have found on distant shores, I am sending out my thoughts to gather hope and encouragement for my human’s predicament. I would be grateful if you would read this with an open heart and offer your support. Who knows, maybe one day, I may send a perfectly magical shell your way.

One week ago, when the earth was closest to the sun, I followed a warm current towards a shell-encrusted shore that I often patrol. ...