Isabelle Cimon contributing writer
sweet southern summer dreams
I have no miracle or incredible story to tell you about . My real miracles and most wonderful stories are my patients with their courage and resiliency . But , I have a dream … A dream of a hot Southern summer , like syrup running down my favorite fluffy Southern meal - pancakes .
As a French-Canadian , maybe you think I would have a dream about the scent of maple sugar and a campfire , or the sound of a winter blizzard blowing snow on a skating rink … Or the hot , husky voice of Bryan Adams singing “ Summer of ’ 69 .” No , my dream is about the hot , humid and salty air along the coastline of South Carolina . This dream came true last summer , the “ Summer of 2014 ” I should say , as Bryan Adams would have probably sang . It was a very simple dream that involved going back to my beloved Southern state where my family spent summer vacations for about 10 years while I was a child and teenager . My dream was about Garden City , Murrells Inlet , Pawleys Island . About dear friendships and moonlight watching . About beaches , fishing , iced tea , grits , pancakes , shark tooth hunting . About “ Yes Ma ’ am ,” and “ Yes , Sir .” About what makes this Southern state so special , so Southern to me . But , more importantly , it was about the people … The warm-hearted Southern people with their Christian values ( Romans 8:28 ). This summer dream was about recalling vivid memories of all the Southern friends God blessed me with during those wonderful summer days . I remember daydreaming about British rock stars with Kim and Cindy ( from Kingsport , Tennessee ), winning a putt-putt game and going shark tooth hunting with Michael ( from Chesnee , South Carolina ) and laughing my heart out with Wendi Nix , a famous South Carolina native and Clemson football fan . The Nix family is the reason I fell in love with Murrells Inlet . I remember driving on beautiful Carriage Run Circle to visit Wendi ’ s family and wishing one day I could spend the rest of my life on this peaceful plantation . I remember the old trees bending over the alley leading me to Mrs . Nix ’ s greeting smile and warm hug . That hug could definitely warm up the heart of a Northern teenager who missed the South so much during those hard and cold Canadian winter days .
My dream came true 25 years later after two bachelor degrees , one doctorate degree in medicine , two wonderful boys and a walk down the aisle with my college sweetheart . I enjoyed every minute of it ! Last summer was as simple and sweet as iced tea . There were long walks on the beach with my husband , great dining and homemade sno-cones along the Marsh-walk with my kids , shopping at the Lazy Gator in Murrells Inlet , fishing with my oldest son Julien at the Garden City Pier , and some chit-chat with the locals . I enjoyed every minute of sunrise , every minute of sunset , every breeze brushing my hair off my face , every grain of sand between my toes and every bite of pancakes . I enjoyed America , and I enjoyed South Carolina at its best ! And , I am planning to enjoy it for the rest of my life .
Last summer , I secretly visited real estate agencies just in case my dream house at Wachesaw Plantation in Murrells Inlet would still be waiting for me after all these years . This is where I found She Magazine . Neatly placed on a shelf , it immediately caught my attention with its glossy , elegant cover like one of those refined European magazines . When time came to go back home to Canada , I packed my suitcase , making sure I was NOT forgetting to bring back postcards of Garden City and Murrells Inlet , a shark tooth , an SC state flag and a copy of She . I was crying when I got on the plane , thinking I might not come back again and how much time flies by . I guess I tore a page out of one of She ’ s previous issues to wipe my tears away ! My blurred vision and broken heart couldn ’ t keep me from thinking that my summer story would be a fantastic literature project , however , and would cheer me up on my way home . This is how my story found its way down South … And , I will find my way back down South again this summer !
You can take a Northern girl out of the South , but you can ’ t take the South out of a Northern girl , especially if a Southern heart is beating in her chest . I am a doctor , so I know what I am talking about !
By the time you read these lines , I will probably be shopping at the Lazy Gator in Murrells Inlet , looking for some fabulous pictures taken by a great local artist , Austin Bond . I want to thank Mr . Bond from the bottom of my heart for his breathtaking pictures of Garden City and Murrells Inlet . These pieces of art helped me go through the cold winter days of Canada and the stressful life of being a doctor . They made me realize the genuine affection I have for this beautiful state of South Carolina and all these unfulfilled Southern dreams that are still running through my veins . These future dreams are about moving to Wachesaw Plantation , being a stay-at-home mom and enjoying the Southern lifestyle I have always dreamed about . These future dreams are about renewing my wedding vows in beautiful Murrells Inlet with my dear husband David and making my dream summer last forever , like my marriage . I can imagine myself decades from now living here in South Carolina with David , our two sons and my grandchildren . This reminds me what John , a friendly local fisherman , told me last summer : “ Ma ’ am , your son ’ s gonna steal some Southern hearts away with his French accent .” Well , who said fishing stories weren ’ t true after all ?!
I am so grateful God helped me make it through all of these various stages of my life . I am so thankful I stood firm to make my dream summer come true … So true I could now make it a reality in my husband ’ s and children ’ s hearts and souls . Time won ’ t erase the lines around my eyes , but , fortunately , it also won ’ t diminish the genuine rock-solid affection I have for Southern culture and Southerners . Maybe you can hear a French accent through these lines , an accent different from yours . Maybe it ’ s not as smooth and charming , but it ’ s as musical and distinctive as yours , with a “ Je ne sais quoi .”
God bless you all , and God bless America !
32 AUGUST 2017 SHEMAGAZINE . COM