In August of 2022, I had an opportunity to travel to N. Myrtle Beach, SC with my friend
Heather. This was my first trip to a beach since I was a teen traveling to Daytona
Beach, FL with my grandparents (28 years had passed)! I was stoked as we arrived at
the hotel, where I could see, hear and smell the sand and ocean just waiting for me.
The significance of arriving in this town is that my father and stepmother had moved to
Little River, just outside N. Myrtle during the previous decade. I also had not seen my
friend Heather since the beginning of the pandemic. So this was a family reunion of
sorts.
The invitation to take this trip had meaning beyond the initial excitement,
however. To be honest, I have carried a lot of pain over my father moving out of state,
as well as other deep emotions regarding how my stepmother speaks to me. The sand
and ocean called to my spirit, ushering me to a practice of letting go. I utilized the
seashells as I prayed and spoke to the divine about my pain. I let it go the only way I
knew how to at that moment. I visualized my pain as words and phrases on the
seashells, and let them get washed away into the Atlantic Ocean. I also envisioned
myself as a child, enjoying riding the waves of the same ocean in Florida, feeling loved
by my grandparents and cousins.
So many memories washed over me as I practiced this letting go, finally feeling worthy of the love I have felt in sharing this ocean with my loved ones. This was an invitation to much-needed healing. I am forever grateful for it.
~Jen Garrison
