Goodbye Dear Charleston
The Boys. If you know, you know.
To think that I am reaching the end of a chapter. How often do we wake up day after day, not knowing fully what lies ahead, but knowing enough that it is another version of what we’ve seen before. How rare is it to wake up knowing your entire landscape will not be the same.
In March of 2022 I found myself moving to the lovely city of Charleston. A small piece of paradise tucked into the east coast. It was a city of lights, food and dreams. Going from a ranch thirty minutes from anything to a downtown where the grocery store was a walk away, it was a radical shift to say the least.
It was also not a move I did alone. My partner and I had packed up our bags and livelihoods for what was supposed to be the beginning of the greatest adventure, of our greatest adventure. But that dream, for the two of us together, was cut short. Either a blessing or a curse (primarily a blessing if we’re being honest) we were soon to cut ties and diverge from one another.
Mr. Kevin Gray, one of my dearest friends.
But right before we would separate we purchased what would become and has been my lovely home, little miss Phoenix. Phoenix was my first boat, my escape from reality, and the carrier of my dreams. She kept me safe through storms, physical and emotional alike, and has never let me down. So when my former partner left, Phoenix was there to fill the gap.
And what a series of years we’ve had together now. If I am being fully upfront she scared me quite a bit and for a long time! I’d never spent much time on boats, let alone sailboats, let alone my boat for Pete’s sake! But never the less we endeavored together, onwards and upwards.
In all of her beauty, miss Phoenix
It was here in Charleston I began to truly search for who I am. What I am supposed to be. It is a question that I can only assume many of us ask, and many more are eluded by the answer. I began to slow my mind, to breath, to meditate, to become the looker.
And I must confess, the road has been anything but easy. From huge financial challenges and massive heart breaks, and not to mention the fact I didn’t have a car for my first winter. I was bombarded with adversity from many corners. Encumbered but not crushed.
I felt the weight of the world weighing on my shoulders. Hearing that small weak voice telling me that I didn’t have the snuff for what lies ahead. But never being one to take a beating lying down I continued to batter my way forward, step by step.
One thing is for certain, Charleston sunsets are one of a kind.
If I was to define my three years in Charleston it would be like this. Year one being a year of burdens and discomfort. The second being that of quiet and healing. With the final year that of furtherance and revelry. More people loved and cherished memories than I can put into words.
My time in this city has been sweet. I have loved it and spurned it. Befriended countless souls with their own walks through life. People that welcomed me and allowed me to be a part of their lives. For that I have nothing but gratitude.
