Finding Strength After the Waves: A Reflection on The Sandcastle by Dawn Maloney
- Erin
- 12m
- 2 min read
Blog by Juliza Ortiz
Every once in a while, a simple story finds its way to you at the exact moment you need it. The Sandcastle by Dawn Maloney did that for me. It’s a children’s book — soft, gentle, and easy to read — but it carries a message that reaches far beyond childhood. It’s a story about loss, faith, and the courage to rebuild when life washes something away.
And honestly… it brought me to tears.
The book follows a young girl who spends her day building a beautiful sandcastle, something she put her whole heart into. But just like real life, the things we love can be fragile. A single wave crashes down and destroys what she created. She feels hurt, discouraged, unsure if she can start again.
But with prayer, love, and guidance from her Father, she finds the strength to rebuild. And in doing so, she learns that loss isn’t the end. It's an invitation to begin again with a stronger heart.
That message isn’t just for children. It’s for anyone who has ever built something in life, a dream, a relationship, a version of themselves, only to watch it fall apart.
There’s something so powerful about the metaphor of the sandcastle. It’s beautiful, but temporary. Precious, but vulnerable. Just like the moments in our lives.
The story reminded me that:
Life changes quickly — sometimes without warning.
Loss happens, even when we do everything “right.”
Faith and hope are what carry us forward, not perfection.
Rebuilding doesn’t mean starting over alone.
It’s a book that gently holds your heart and says, “You can begin again.”
In my work as a makeup artist and esthetician, I meet so many people who come to me during their “rebuilding seasons.” Some are healing their skin. Some are healing their confidence. Some just need a moment to feel cared for.
And I always say beauty isn’t about hiding. It is about restoration.
Reading The Sandcastle reminded me that transformation, whether in life or in skincare, is a process:
You clean up the pieces.
You rebuild with intention.
And you trust that what you create next will be even more beautiful.
Healing is never linear. It’s waves, sand, faith, and patience. And that’s okay.
The girl in the story didn’t give up. She didn’t stay defeated. She rebuilt not because the sandcastle magically came back, but because she found courage within herself, with a little guidance from above. That’s the part that stayed with me the most. Because even as adults, we sometimes need that reminder:You are capable of rebuilding.You are allowed to begin again.And what the wave washes away is not the end of your story.
If you’re going through a season of change, loss, or transition, I really recommend this book. It’s short, heartfelt, and full of meaning. The kind of story you can read in ten minutes but think about for days. The Sandcastle reminded me that life will always send waves… but with faith, patience, and strength, we can rebuild something even more beautiful than before.
And if you’re in your rebuilding season, I’m cheering for you always.
Looking for more that your kids will love? Visit us for your Santa photos or register for our Girls' Holiday Makeup Class today!
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