This weekend has been such a blessing… a blessing I didn’t even know I needed. (And aren’t those sometimes the best blessings of all?)
I came here, to this house at the beach, (on the marsh, actually), to spend some much-needed time with my sister. We’ve been wanting to get together for a while, but with everything Covid, we kept postponing it. Then, last week, we decided we both just needed some sister-time. We are both very careful about where we go and who we are with, so we made the decision to spend a few days together – just the two of us.
That decision was a great one. This has been great! Our time together is always such a blessing – filled with late night talks and more laughter than either of us knows what to with. But that isn’t the only blessing I have found this weekend… It is this place… She is a magical place that has held years of peaceful healing for me… She is Edisto… Or as the locals call her, Edi-slow. And that’s exactly what happens here… Life slows down so you can get your bearings and find your peace once again.
When I was in college and had just broken up with a boyfriend of many years, she was here. I walked her beaches for days while letting her peaceful shores refill my soul. Every year while my kids were growing up, my sister and I would meet here with all the kids and spend a week on her shores. For me, it was my favorite week of the year. It was much-needed time away from the chaos of my first marriage. It was a week to refresh my soul and take a deep breath before I dove back into my life “back home.” and it was a heart-warming time of family and watching our children learn to love this place of sun, shore, and a slower pace of life.
During the three years it took to get divorced, I remember my sister saying, “Go to the beach house… Spend some time by the water and let Edisto do her magic… And I did… a lot! Every time I arrived filled with anxiety and worry. And after a few hours, I left every time with peace once again restored in my heart.
Through the years, the view has changed. My sister has moved from the beach side to the river… Now when I come here, I can still walk the shoreline, but I am blessed with some quiet, porch-sittin’, as well. I love watching the life on the river and in the marsh… And the peace that I have always found here is still here. It is in every salty breath I take. It is in the sunsets over the river and the early morning cup of tea as I sit on the dock watching the world wake up and come to life.
All the cares and anxiety I felt two days ago… gone. The tears I usually cry into my pillow at night… not here. Here, I miss Bruce, and I talk about Bruce. However, I am also at peace about where I have been and where the road ahead might lead. Because here I am reminded that life is precious, and there is something to be cherished in every moment.
Here, I can sit on the porch for hours, mesmerized as I watch the boats and the dolphin travel up and down the river with the tides… And without even realizing when it happened… Without even knowing I needed to be here… Edisto has once again worked her magic and touched my soul.
What about you? Do you have a place that just heals your heart? That touches your soul no matter how broken you might feel? This journey can be hard and confusing. Having a space that feels safe and brings us peace, is such a blessing. Let us know where you go to heal or what you do. We would love to hear your story. If you would like to share your experience or if you need a helping hand or maybe a virtual hug, let us know. We are here for you.
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