With all the times I have been blessed to be on Amelia Island, this past week, I was gifted with the best yet…Amelia during the Christmas season. I didn’t even think about it until I was walking down the street in downtown Ferndandina Beach and all of the trees were encircled with the warm glow of Christmas lights. There were beautiful trees on the corners and tucked into cubbies. All of the shops had their window displays glowing and it was all absolutely magical.

How on earth had I not experienced that before? Well, now that is tucked away as a beautiful memory.

I had one last week in a very special place. If I see it again, it will have been remodeled. So, I spent the week soaking in every detail of it and this time, I did a few things I’d kept saying I would do, but it never worked out.

Remember all of those lessons I’ve been learning over the past few years? I put them to work.

I made sure to set my alarm every night so I didn’t miss a sunrise. I made coffee and I bundled up and I sat.

The locals would walk by me each morning and stop to chat. It made me wish I were one myself.

I got to watch my favorite pelicans as they disappeared behind the waves while they made their way down the beach in formation. I got to watch the dolphins jumping while being backlit by the sunrise.

I sat there wondering how in the world I never ended up moving there. I’d sworn I would back when I was a senior in high school and that year after. Life never really goes as we plan it though, right? There’s a lot more twists and turns…and lessons to learn…before we end up where we are supposed to be.

While checking in at The Book Loft (I still can’t believe they carry my book), I saw that there would be a semi-local photographer showing his work there and I’d actually be in town for it. So, on Thursday night, I went. It was so fun to go to something there and support someone else who’s doing what they love. His work was great and he seemed truly happy to be there. Apparently, that was their first event of that kind and I hope they continue. I had a great time! I did learn that I’m still working on “being out in the world” again. That social awkwardness is still alive and well.

The biggest thing I did was…finally getting closer to Cumberland Island than just seeing it across the channel from the top of Fort Clinch. I only took a river cruise to it, at low tide, so I still haven’t gotten to actually walk around yet, but I still teared up seeing the beauty of that undisturbed island and it’s wild horses. I got to see one of the white horses!

What I was the most happy about was the fact that I still have the ability to get so full of happiness that I can feel it in my chest. I miss being excited about things most find silly or too small to be of any significance. I quite enjoy being happy. I quite enjoy the fact that it doesn’t take much to make me truly happy.

On that boat, I was happy.

I also walked around Fort Clinch on the beach. Again, why have I never done that?

This week gave me a chance to hear myself again. I got to think about what I want and how I feel.

Here are a few of the photos. There’s an eclectic mix, but that also sums up the trip.

As I was living…I wondered why it had taken me so long.

So, if there is something you keep putting off because you think there will be better timing later, just go for it. The timing will never be perfect. Don’t wait 20 years.

~Alisha