Letter to Matías: The Horseshoe Crab

Where the sea keeps its secrets, and you reveal them

This post is also available in Spanish. Read it here

Dear Matías, my sweet love,

Today I want to tell you about an animal we may have never met together… at least not with our eyes.
But I’m sure you already knew it—with your heart.

It’s called a horseshoe crab, though it’s not really a crab, and it’s certainly not a horseshoe.
It’s… something else. Like a piece of time left behind, a guardian of ancient life.
A little creature so odd it looks like a forgotten robot washed up on the shore.
But now, my son, I see it differently. Because of you.

You taught me to love animals—all of them, not just the pretty ones.
You taught me to look at the world with tenderness, with wonder, with questions.
And it was because of you, because of the love you planted deep in my chest,
that I didn’t turn away from this strange creature,
but drew closer, asked, and discovered it’s a walking miracle.

Matías, did you know it has blue blood?
Not because it's royalty, but because its body uses copper instead of iron, like you and me.
And that blue blood reacts instantly when dangerous bacteria are near.
That’s why humans use it to test the safety of vaccines and medicines.
So that little creature, that looks like a helmet left behind by the sea,
has saved millions of human lives.
Maybe even a part of yours, without us knowing.

Did you also know it’s been around since before the dinosaurs?
Over 450 million years enduring, unchanged, undefeated.
Not through strength or beauty—but by simply doing what it does best: surviving, protecting, giving life.

And when it’s opened (for science), there’s hardly any meat…
just simple organs and thousands upon thousands of eggs.
As if its whole body were an offering to life.

It made me wonder…
Maybe the armor of gladiators, the helmets, the war shields…
maybe all of that was inspired by it.
Because its body seems built to withstand time, the sea’s blows, even forgetfulness.

And today, my son, I honor it with you.
Because thanks to you, I no longer walk past a strange little creature.
Because you taught me to see with eyes of love, not judgment.

So wherever you are—flying, playing, shining—
I want you to know your mama met a new friend.
And she looks at it with the eyes you gifted her.
Because deep down, this little animal… is also a survivor, a healer, a quiet soul, a different one. Like you.

Thank you, my Matías.
Thank you for teaching me how to see.
Thank you for teaching me how to love what I didn’t yet understand.

With all my heart,
Mommy Nubia