Progress?

I wrote this as a letter to the editor of our local paper...I've sent them in before and I haven't been published, but I'll try again. This is a topic of interest to anybody who cares about stopping haphazard land development. That's my semi-environmental spouting! Ha!





The controversy surrounding Georgia’s Jekyll Island is one that has been around since human beings entered the scene on the world stage. It all centers on progress and our innate desire to create and improve that which we have dominion over. Progress can be defined in many ways, but most would agree that progress in all definitions involves certain elements of change and growth. How these ideals are implemented is where the disagreement comes in regarding progress.

My own personal relationship with Jekyll Island began as a one year old playing in the sandy beaches of the island with my parents and maternal grandparents. My grandparents began staying on Jekyll Island soon after it was opened as a public beach for Jekyll’s citizens. My mother grew up going there, as did my sisters and I. Obviously, there are many sentimental reasons I could give for stopping further development of the island that holds so many dear memories for me. And while I see each of these reasons as being extremely important to maintaining the qualities possessed by this beautiful island, I am not so naive as to believe these reasons are relevant for everyone who has ever or will ever visit the island. However, being objective, I still have an overall opinion on the proposed redevelopment of Jekyll Island. What bothers me surrounding this issue is not the actual ideas of development and progress that must come to the island, whether we like it or not, but how this is being carried out as a war of power and politics with little to no regard for the island itself.

I am a mother now to three little boys, and am expecting our fourth child soon. My husband, children and myself just returned last week from this place of beauty and I am reinvigorated on my platform regarding this issue. There is no denying that Jekyll could use a simple facelift. The shops at the entrance to the island are architecturally outdated and could be remodeled to fit in better with the scenery and drop their 70’s appearance. OK, whatever. Even the convention center could use some improvements, and if that involves a complete overhaul, OK, whatever. Also, the hotels that were outdated have already been torn down and should be rebuilt right where they were to provide nice places for visitors to stay, OK; we’re already on that, thanks. However, it is the ignorant opinions that I continue to hear and read about that bother me. To say that Jekyll is in bad disrepair and to give the idea that the island is about to fall over from lack of “progress”, simply tells me that the people making these remarks have either not visited Jekyll recently or are not inclined to like a quiet beach atmosphere anyway. These are fine viewpoints to have when choosing your beach destination. But to impose these viewpoints on an island that is simply different from other places you prefer to visit is both unfair and wrong. No place will ever please everyone and to make this an issue of pity toward Georgia residents who “need” a better place for vacation that is not rundown is not an idea I appreciate. First of all, an island that is “underdeveloped” does not equal an island that is in poor disrepair or badly needs developing. It simply is what it is. Jekyll is a quiet place of stillness, unrefined, and full of natural beauty, while still being convenient enough to stay on and be comfortable. It is not Hilton Head, St. Simons, Sea Island, etc… nor does it need to be. There is nothing wrong with these places, but to suggest that Jekyll is “less than” because it is not one of these places is simply ignorant. Human beings have made footprints on Jekyll Island. These footprints can and should stay and even be improved upon. But to come in and make more footprints, move footprints, argue over footprints, stomp on other’s footprints is taking on the human agendas of money, greed and assumptions over what the people of Georgia need and want, while completely disregarding the island itself. I have learned in my adult life that sometimes it is in the still quiet moments that the truth can be heard. Yet, everyday, it is our human desire to drown out those moments with more noise and stuff, all in the name of progress. Everyone who is involved in the decision making process regarding Jekyll Island needs to take a weekend there relishing in it’s quiet beauty. Listening to the island and not your own inner desires for more, more, and more. Then an appreciation may come for what Jekyll’s place in the world should be. If it does not, that’s OK, too. That’s when you will know that Jekyll is not the destination for you and when making future plans, you should make them elsewhere. It does not mean that it is now time to conform Jekyll to your needs and desires just because the money is in your pocket, or there is money to be made, or those poor Georgians need a better island!

This “poor” Georgian is thrilled with my beach choices. Jekyll even has the fancy stuff! I have never seen a place more beautiful than the Millionaire’s village and it was developed over a century ago. It is residing in its original footprint and is coming alive again. So the next time you think of this issue as one of progress, remember this quote from C.S. Lewis who said, “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” I think we have an obligation to this great island to preserve her beauty, clean up our outdated footprints and leave her alone for the people who want a still, quiet refuge to enjoy. We still have time for that about-turn Lewis spoke of, and to make the truly progressive choice for Jekyll Island.

If this is your opinion also, go to www.savejekyllisland.org and see what you can do right now to allow your voice to be heard!

Easter and Jekyll...Spring is here!

We had a great Easter and an even better Spring Break at Jekyll! It was so nice to get away and the beauty of Jekyll surpassed anything I could imagine. That place always amazes me with it's quiet, simple beauty. It truly is my favorite place in the world. I plan on being more poetic in the very near future...but for now I will leave it at that. I don't even know if anyone reads this, but I find updating it is a way for me to document all the little and big things. Maybe like I used to do in a scrapbook, but not as time consuming. Kind of like reminding myself..."Wow! I DO have a life!" ha... But seriously, the mundane of life can get in the way of seeing all the meaningful things you do...a string of meaningful events scattered among the everyday. They are all important and beautiful in their own way.

Building Cathedrals

I received this in my email today. It is so great that I wanted to post it somewhere. It has taken me my whole life so far to realize the things we do may never be recognized during our lifetimes, but they matter just the same. This especially rings true for us stay at home Moms who may find ourselves wondering, "What am I doing with my life!!??!" Well, read on...

Invisible Mother...... .

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fued by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Snow in March and ART!!!!

We had some surprising snow last weekend for March in Georgia...well, for ANYTIME in Georgia! Of course it didn't stick but it provided about 20 minutes of wintry fun for everyone.

Owen has also completed some of his first big pastel pieces. They are fantastic! He says he likes this medium better than anything right now...so maybe we are in for more great work. I am sure no matter what art form he pursues it will be great...he is very talented.




I know I am his Mom so I am a bit biased, but it is so cool to see your child involved in something they really enjoy. I hope all my kids find that...in fact, I'd like to find it myself!!!

Owen

Owen is the subject of a new portrait done by his art teacher, Debbie Anderson. As Owen told me to say, "It looks amazing and I've already bought it and started paying it off!" True...donations, anyone? HA!

It's a GIRL!!!

We are having a girl! I really didn't know we had it in us! We are all excited, especially that everything appears healthy and going great. The boys are REALLY excited which I think is wonderful. I can't think of a better position to be in than having three handsome boys taking care of you all the time! :o) The nurse did say she was measuring big which my sister just chalked up to the fact that this girl knows she's got to hold her own among three big guys!