It Would Have Been a Nice Commission, I Suppose..

I guess by now it is pretty obvious to most that I am a wee bit protective and maybe even slightly neurotic of my precious (yep I said "my" so maybe even a little egocentristic) little town by the sea.

Beaufort has meant so much to me in so many ways. I first came to Beaufort solely based on a conversation I overheard in an emergency room. I vaguely recall the injury most likely one of my slip, trip, bump-n bruise days no doubt.

Emergency rooms are not the best places for private conversations or maybe I was just blatantly eaves dropping.

The nurse spoke of a place she had recently visited that she truly believed was "spiritually magical".

As a young gypsy minded woman, that sounded good to me! I packed up my prize position, Captain Jack (my cocker spaniel/counselor/ best friend/confidant/foot warmer), loaded up my seen-better-days mustang and headed to Beaufort.

Honestly, I could write a book (and someday I just might) about the details of the drive, the actual events surrounding my life at the time, and the little voice inside my head that screamed "What the hell are you doing?"

But....for now, I will give you the high points.

I was a school teacher so I quickly found a job. I spent my days driving around aimlessly enjoying the most amazing sights I had ever seen in a small town.

The sailboats cruising through the Intracoastal Waterway, crabbers and shrimpers pulling in their days catch, children playing without a care in the world; I was home.

Even after several years, the sights, smells, faces, and sounds are as fresh as the seafood I eat each day. Long (very long, I'm wordy) story short, Beaufort saved my life in many ways. I had time to stop and remember who I was and that happiness wasn't a luxury but a necessity.

So where am I going with all of this???? Told you I was wordy...

I had a couple in my car, nice couple very business minded and career driven. They were just a few years older than me.

They were trying to choose between my little paradise and a larger city north of here. I spent time educating them on the market, what was available in their range, etc... Then, I showed them around a bit so that they could get their bearings.

Then it happened...

"How do you live in such a small town?" Where is the mall?, "This place seems forgotten by society." And on and on they went, denting, and bruising my little town by the sea.

Oops.....did I just run off the road??????!?!?

It would have been a nice commission I suppose.

Maybe they would have learned to appreciate the true beauty of my little town by the sea.

Maybe, I shouldn't have dropped them back off at their hotel so quickly.

If you are looking for the hustle and bustle, or the hurry up and get out of my way life style. Don't come to our little town. You will not be happy and you will interfere with the happiness of others.

If you are looking for a life somewhat forgotten, an amazing place to raise a family, a place where your neighbors know you AND LIKE YOU, a place where you can spend a Sunday sitting by (or in) the river with your closest friend without feeling as though silence must be filled;come on down, over, across or up, we will save you a seat.

If you are lost and don't have time to find yourself, come to Beaufort. We are happy people.

No we don't have a mall and yes, we even may talk funny, but we will welcome you and help you find your piece of paradise.