Kindred Spirit at Sunset Beach, NC
Yesterday on a car, I saw a decal with a Palmetto tree sandwiched in between the words, Salt Life. I cannot wait for our trip to the beach this year. Several years ago I received an email devotional about the Kindred Spirit on Sunset Beach. I was so excited to find that it was just across the South Carolina line. My family and I have taken many vacations there over the last several years.
The mailbox sits amidst the dunes in an area called Bird Island. They claim it is only a short walk down the beach, but it is really closer to 2 miles. The mailbox is full of journals and pens and people come to write in them. The journals are there for anyone to write in and of course you can read what others have written.
My son, Ryan, proposed to his future wife, Casey, on Sunset Beach in 2008. It took the whole family to pull it off. While he was proposing, I was supposed to be moving the bouquet of roses he had left at a neighboring house with his uncle. Just as I was walking down the steps, there were Ryan and Casey coming up them. There was no smile and at first I thought maybe she said no, but then Ryan told me she needed to use the bathroom before their walk. She then complained to Ryan about how he never bought her flowers anymore and how sweet it was of my husband, Mike, to surprise me with some. Of course she later found out they were hers. They did get married on a beach, but they chose a beach in Jamaica and had a wonderful time.
This year there are no proposals that I know of, but it will be my grandson, Daniel’s first trip to the beach. I can’t wait to see his reactions. His mother, my daughter, Amanda was seven the first time she saw the beach. She ran out to the sand letting the water wash over her feet. She stood there absorbing the whole scene and then she whispered to me, “Mama, I can feel the whole Earth moving beneath my feet.”
I am so looking forward to my week of the Salt Life. A scene in my novel in progress takes place at Sunset Beach so I am really looking forward to researching the area.
In August I will return for my final three classes I must take before graduating. I took my first college class back in 2001, so it has taken me quite a while to get here. And if anyone out there is thinking about quitting, don’t. Take a break if you need to, sometimes life just gets in the way. Give yourself permission if you need to or just cut back on the number of classes you take.
For Converse II, the keys are perseverance, optimism, and discipline.
My personal blog is www.connietk.blogspot.com
I blog about Sunday Dinners, where I include recipes and memories. Widow’s Walk, my life as a widow. Write Now, my life as a writer with a novel in progress.
It has been so much fun. I wish all the graduating seniors the best. For all of you other students, your graduation will be here before you know it. For Converse II, hang in there, you’re doing this for yourself and your family. And for all the faculty and staff, I appreciate all your efforts, encouraging words, and wisdom.
Sunrise on Sunset Beach, NC