An excerpt from "Lessons from the Beach Chair"
By: Deb Austin Brown

LESSON FIFTEEN - No Man Is An Island!

Pawleys Island, South Carolina, is a beautiful place. If I had to pick my favorite spot in the whole world, it would be Pawleys. Now, don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been all around the world. Not even close. But there is something about Pawleys Island that tells me I need look no further. Deep in my heart, there was a connection with us from the very beginning. It was just love at first sight!

The first time I drove to Pawleys, I crossed the bridge to the island and smiled. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was simply built and “arrogantly shabby.” There is no commercial development on the island, just private homes and beach rentals. It’s a narrow barrier island – perhaps five or six miles long, framed by the beach on the east, and by saltwater creeks and marshes on the west. Residents walk and ride bicycles on the island road, escaping the hustle and bustle of real life just a few miles away on the mainland. The sun sets over the island creeks in the west and casts an orange glow that reflects over the ocean waters. All is right with the world!

Walking on the south end of the island is like walking on your own private beach. It’s a picturesque walk along the sea oats and sand dunes to the end of the island. The waves roll in to greet you as if you were the only visitor of the day. There have been many days when I found myself alone on the beach for hours at a time. Just me and the shorebirds and pelicans. Not a bad way to spend the day.

Autumn is my favorite time there. The summer crowds have gone, as vacationers have traded their beach dreams for the realities of responsibility and work. Every year I savor each of my nine November days there. Talk about pure pleasure! I take my beach chair, journal, blue pen, and Cherry Coke® to the beach – and I’m ready for the great adventure of spending the day alone. As sea breezes blow through my hair, all of my stresses and troubles drift out to sea. I bask in the luxury of being alone in the relaxing sunshine. Ahh…this must be heaven!

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