Carolina Tide

You learn a lot about yourself when your away from everything and everyone you know. It's funny how life works that way. In South Carolina I learned that I'm really not good as good at small talk as I thought. I learned that prayer may not always be what people think of when something tragic happens but it brings a peace that's beyond anyone's understanding. I came to the realization that this world is far bigger than anything I've ever imagined. The Atlantic Ocean looks similar to the lake but with waves and a salty taste. My beach hair doesn't work as well due to the weather change. History is seriously everywhere, everywhere. When John Mark McMillian sings about the Carolina Tide I always imagined it to be a normal tide, nope it raises as the day goes on. It literally inches closer and closer and closer to the tree line as the hours pass by, it's fun to watch the families-- you can tell the tourist apart from the usuals. The tourist set up tent near the water and when the tide comes in you see them hurrying to gather their things and scoot back only to have to scoot back more 30 minutes later. There was a street called Bay Street that was within walking distance from our little town house, it was beautiful. They had swings facing the water so you could watch the sun rise and set. It was southern, classy southern. South Carolina was beautiful, the houses, the culture, the history. We ate at this restaurant that is famous in the area, it's hidden on a back road and a hole in the wall but they are known for their shrimp&grits so for breakfast on Sunday morning I had shrimp&grits. It was good, a different breakfast dish but good nonetheless. There were moments in the trip where I felt like I was searching for a radical change being that I was away from everything, but then I realized that I don't always have to be searching for a huge change I can just embrace His grace and love in the small things and embrace life. It's too short not too. I have fallen short and been trapped by my thoughts like the rest of us, but then 20 minutes after I realize how many people I passed by without smiling && they may be having the worst day and that smile may change their day. It's a tiny concept but a challenge I need to take. Put my heavy, heavy thoughts aside and just embrace the day. Not even the day but the moment. They are too short and beautiful to let them slip away. South Carolina you were a good one. I am thankful for the trip, for the people I traveled with, for the ice cream, for the ocean, for the John Mark McMillian cd I listened to 4 times, for the bridge, I'm even thankful for the parade I got stuck in while trying to get off of the island. I'm thankful for so many reasons. 

This blog is late because I'm currently in North Carolina and I should be sleeping---  New York tomorrow!