I try to share my perspective on how to #LiveLikeALocal and give it to you from my viewpoint. In this case, I ran across this "top ten list" by a local writer. And, I really think she was able to say what we all think about living in Pawleys. She hit the nail on the head! Don't you?
Thank you to published author, Jennifer Taylor Smoak for allowing me to share her thoughts. If you'd like to read more from her, you can find her on Facebook (@messymiracleswriter) and Instagram (@messy_miracles_writer). Or you can order her book, Joy Comes in the Morning: Finding Miracles in the Mess by clicking the title.
The Top 10 Things to LOVE about Pawleys Island
- Everything is slower. Even the left lane on 17. (But seriously, people, MOVE. That lane is for crime only.) We take our time. We breathe deep. We look people in the eye. We stay for dessert. It’s a beautiful thing, so slow the heck down.
- Everything is tastier. You could tell me you’ve had better fried chicken than what Hog Heaven makes, but I’d call you a liar. You could tell me Landolfi’s cannoli is just “good” and I would leave you be to sit in your wrongness.
- Everything is prettier; the Spanish moss lazing in the oaks, the sea foam kissing the sand, the flow of the Waccamaw, the wildlife we don’t deserve to catch glimpses of, but we get to anyway. It’s perfection. Every last bit of it.
- Everything sounds better; the roar of the waves, the local bands at the PIT, the chorus of birds in our backyards, the “yes sirs” and “no thank yous” from younguns who’ve been raised right, the praises that rise in worship on Sunday morning. It’s our own local melody and it’s rich.
- Everything smells better; salt air, magnolias in bloom, Parlor Donuts serving line. Don’t argue with me here. Y’all know I’m right.
- Community is stronger. Neighbors give and receive help without keeping a record. Need an egg? Come grab one. Need to run to the store? Send your kids over here. Heaven forbid a tragedy happens, but you can bet your britches we will be in your yard with casseroles.
- We support local. There is nothing this town loves more than building each other up. As small business owners ourselves, the cheer squad of locals who champion for our success as much as their own is humbling. Success isn’t pie. There’s enough for everybody.
- We are loyal. We love each other. We love our home. We are fiercely protective of both. We welcome newcomers with open arms, but you should know we expect buy in. Be kind. Always. Love this place and its people as much as we do. That’s all we ask.
- The climate is perfect. Granted, Mother Nature seems to be tossing out temp digits like she’s playing bingo this week, but generally, we’re golden. Not a lick of ice this year. Let’s just all pray Hurricane Season enters quietly, sits down, shuts up, and leaves without a goodbye.
- It feels like Home. The capital “H” kind that grows roots. That feeling you get when you close your eyes and breathe in the ocean breeze? That feeling when you have to slow for the deer to cross at Willbrook or step outside at night and get to spy a fox? That feeling where you have to stand for a second to get a grip on the knot in your throat because you’re so friggin’ grateful to be right here, right now? That. That is Home.
I barely scratched the surface, I know. What would you add? What’s your favorite thing about our little speck of Earth?