Dear Reader:

I think I got a God Wink through St. Francis of Assisi yesterday in my garden…because I just experienced one of the proudest moments surrounding my home town… while driving through down town.

As I stared at what I saw before me…I could only think of the quote by St. Francis of Assisi (I put in yesterday’s blog)…it was coming true!

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

Yesterday a march was planned from Walmart (near the interstate) down main street in Summerville… concluding in Hutchinson Square. I believe the mantra behind this march was BLM- Black Lives Matter.

The merchants in town and along the square decided they would “sow love” to show the protesters/marchers that they, too, stood for equality in the treatment of all our country’s citizens…no matter the race.

At first as I started down Main Street…the boarded up buildings reminded me of hurricane preparations from the past….mostly plywood and different elements covering windows…but then I turned into Hutchinson Square where the downtown shops are centered and I broke out into a smile that spread across my face!

Oh…how I love my hometown! Here is what I saw (below)! Summerville took a different approach to the protest rallies and marches.

The downtown store owners “channeled” their messages of support to the protesters through visual drawings and positive affirmations.

Reverend Middleton was right when he, too, quoted St. Francis of Assisi…”Make us channels of your peace.”

The merchants of downtown Summerville (and others I am sure) decided to channel understanding… instead of fear.

When I saw this “perfect” visual analogy yesterday…(on Facebook from Donna Clark who said Jan Franks sent it her- thank you both!) I knew I would conclude my post with it today. (The beauty of never underestimating the power of love.)

*Talk to your children while they are young!

So until tomorrow…

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Libby sent me this poem that beautifully expresses the conflicting emotions we all are experiencing over recent events…leaving us feeling simply “sad.”

“Loudly we shook…Waking humanity…Begging our souls…To treat everyone equally.

Unimaginable acts…Little hope in sight…Relying on faith…For a glimmer of light.

Banded we’re strong…Divided we fall…A world not for one…But for all.

As rage envelopes…Breathe into the sorrow…Know it takes compassion…For a better tomorrow.

Stand for lives lost…Speak for stories untold…For all individuals…Left out in the cold.

Please don’t walk away…Knowing what’s wrong…In peace there is power Praise loudly their song.

It’s our job to be sure…No hero died in vain…Let them be the sun…Through the heaviest of rain.” 

(Sunrise from Litchfield Beach 5/31/20 – Lisa Arnold)

Among all this unrest love still bubbles to the surface…and that is true of Honey and Mike’s oldest daughter, Tarshie, and her boyfriend…now fiancee, Tyler Wegman. Tyler and Tarshie…(Tarshie said they are now called TNT) 🙂

With this adorable photo…Tarshie added…“It looks like I am going to be changing my last name!” Congratulations you two…the world needed more love and you two gave it to us!

*Tarshie and I texted back and forth last evening and she told me they got engaged at Triple Falls in Dupont State Park…romantic and beautiful!