I am spending my New Year's with my wife at my favorite place on earth: Folly Beach.
Folly has always been a part of my life. When I was a kid, this was our vacation destination of choice. In fact, my grandmother lived here for a while, and for even longer on nearby James Island. It is the place where I can trace more happy memories than I can count, and where I feel the presence of my mother most clearly. I want to retire here, and when I die, I want my ashes scattered here.
Folly makes you slow down. It takes a good twenty minutes just to get off the island, which is only 7 miles long and about a mile wide at the widest point. But a good part of the island's revenue comes from unsuspecting tourists who don't realize how serious they are about the 30 mph speed limit. I set my cruise control when I drive on the island.
I think slowing down is a good thing. As Americans, we are always on the go. We want everything fast: our highways, our foods, even our movies...two hours is too long. But here, you can't go fast. And you don't want to. I am content wandering the beach, or even just sitting inside watching the waves. And listening to them.
This is exactly what I needed to recharge. The first part of our trip was jam-packed and fast paced. Get here to see my family then there to see hers. Lots of driving, no time to even unpack the suitcase. But now that we have seen our loved ones, our only task here is to relax.
Oh, and to soak up some vitamin D. It seems that the sun lives here...my first morning in the states, I woke up giddy like a kid waiting for Santa, knowing that the sun would soon peak over the horizon. Sunrise was beautiful..and early. As much as I love Estonia, I do miss the sun. Winter days are dark.
So Happy New Year's! I hope you enjoy your ringing is as much as I know I will enjoy mine...just me, my wife, and some champagne at the beach. I wish your 2013 to be better than your 2012, even if your year, like mine, was a good one.
Head vana aasta lõppu ja kaunist uut aastat!
2 comments:
sounds like a perfect place to ring in the NY! Happy 2013!
Beautiful! Happy 2013 to you, too! I completely agree with the "slowing down" thing. I am so disconcerted with the American obsession with "wanting their instant gratification right now". I guess the best place to start is with my own kids, but something's gotta be done on a broader scale before we devour ourselves because dinner's taking too long!
P.S. My husband grew up in Central Maine, and you can tell because when I showed him where Folly Island is, he said "Oh yeah, that's way down south."
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