WATERCOLOR.

WaterColor, what a dream land. This welcoming beach community is named ever so perfectly with the hues of the sea and the sky changing like a living water color painting. It's been over a year since I have ventured down to this ocean paradise along the Gulf of Mexico in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. And how I was amazed. I could travel the whole world round and not see sand so soft and white like sugar, water so turquoise and clear as a newly drawn bath, and skies so gracefully boasting both sunrise and sunset over the ocean.


My "Queen" Christen invited me down to her family's happy abode for a relaxing Labor Day gettaway. There were 6 of us in all, including Hartford who decided to come down last minute. My brother and I were the first to arrive on Friday afternoon and lost no time plunging into the cool, salty wave pool and hitting the local Publix supermarket for mostly booze and a little grub to get us through the weekend. Seaside's live music in the grass lawn blooming with dozens of families flirted with our desire for a pic-nic on the beach at sunset. I was eager to teach Hart the right way to watch the sun go down: On the beach, with a celebratory drink, shared with another, over good conversation... and laughing is sure to follow.



Before we knew it we were marveling over the full, orange harvest moon rising ever so slyly in the twinkling sky. We watched stars bursting through the heavens and satelites steadily creeping ore the vast space evoking memories, stories, philosophy and an urgency to call just about every one we knew to share the beauty of our all but simple, all but free, perfect bliss. We tried our darndest to stay up for the arrival of the troops: 1 Ironman, 1 fashionista, 1 trial lawyer and 1 groovy sweetheart. But after making some noise with the guitar and jembe drums on the front porch, sharing an awful cigarette and improvising some obnoxiously pleasing song, we retired to bed with teeth stained red and dreams of bicycles, spider man goggles, YOLO paddling, roof top margaritas and jiving old men at Bud and Alley's.


I loved practicing the art of eating in, front-porch sittin, crawling in and out of the window like a ninja, answering the call of the sea a dozen times a day, rising early to paint watercolors on the beach amid the puppy dogs and fishermen and most of all getting this quality time with those I adore. Thank y'all for filling me up with more happiness deemed sane. I love you Hart, Christen, Morgan, Clint, Don and Miss Dawn and Mister Draper.

CHARLESTON.

This weekend my brother Thomas and his girlfriend, Callaway had all of us up to Charleston for a deep sea fishing extravaganza. It was the first time all 3 brothers of mine and I have been together since... Christmas? With life taking us all down such different avenues, days together ring more precious and rare. A perfect day on the blue, clear waters under the wide open sky and in the warmth of the sun reminded us all of the importance of family and letting lose with the ones who've helped to shape our lives the most. We danced, we drank, we marveled at the marsh and the open water, we sang, we swam, we got sunburned and we even caught some fish.

THE POINT.

My brother Hartford has created a website to get to the point... and in reading the various points so far, I've come to my own conclusion. This search is the point, this shared journey towards truth is the point, all of this helping one another to see and smile and shine is the point of life.

The answers are out there. 

That is one hell of a point, Hartford.
Love, Sis.

FROM CHIEF.

From Blake Mycoskie, Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS SHOES.
This is his tribute to Nan Naw, his grandmother.
She passed away last week at the ripe age of 89.
Here goes.

Lessons Learned from Char Baby #1

Yesterday I spent the morning going through picture albums and writing out my favorite memories with Nan Naw.  In almost every picture, 2 things were absolutely consistent:

She had the biggest smile (which was always a little mischievous). And without a doubt, she had on the brightest clothes in the group.

Having a reputation for a permanent smile and an affinity for crazy pants myself, I began to realize that me and Nan Naw had a lot more in common than one might think.   

With further introspection and journaling, I began to understand that the reason we had so much in common was because many of the principles that I have built my life on were in fact, lessons that Nan Naw taught me. Why this had never dawned on me was simple. Nan Naw did not teach verbally, but through her actions. Instead of telling me what to do or advising us grandchildren with caution, she simply lived her life unapologetically, and doing so with such vitality and joy, it is not a surprise at all that I began mirroring her ways.

First lets start with fashion. Nan Naw loved color, rhinestones, sequins, and bold prints.  Anything that would demand attention or had a story associated with it.  They say that the Peacock that attracts the most mates, also has the brightest feathers.  Nan Naw understood this theory all too well, often meeting the most people and new friends as a result of her bright clothes at any event or party.  What many of you all might not know, about 8 years ago I began collecting madras, paisley, and other crazy pants and almost without fail, I wear a pair every time I have an event to go to, and every time it leads to more interesting conversations, introductions, and when single, dates.  So Nan Naw, thank you for teaching me this valuable lesson and as a tribute today, I have worn this pair with a golf ball and tee print, which brings me to the next lesson I learned through observing your life.

Nan Naw showed us all that life is not a spectator sport, and those who enjoy it the most are also the most active and engaged. When nearly all of my friends speak of their grandmothers, especially those in their 80’s, they do not talk of competitive golf games, high stakes poker, slot machine tournaments in vegas, and bloody marys, so you can imagine the pride I used to take 10 years ago showing pictures of Nan Naw playing in the Halloween golf tournament dressed as Cindy Lauper or at the card table surrounded by men half her age. These pictures and stories made Nan Naw a living legend among my friends, especially those who got to meet her when I was a student at SMU. I will never forget the night that she closed down the Green Elephant bar with the Theta Sorority Girls while takings shots of tequila with me and my pledge brothers, might I add, long after my parents went home tired. That night I tucked her in on a friends couch, but found her the next morning as enthusiastic as ever when I picked her up to go to the football game. Today I thank God for these memories.

Last and by far the most important lesson Nan Naw taught me was to be positive. Up until the last time I saw her 2 weeks ago, she was the most positive, grateful, and optimistic person I ever met. She worked hard to make people laugh and she really did not care if they were laughing with her or at her, for the end result of them being happy was all that mattered. Besides encouraging us through laughter, she instilled a confidence in us kids that has affected our lives greatly. No matter what we were trying to do, she insisted that it was great idea and destined for success. Of course every grandma is proud of her grand kids and showers them with love, but Nan Naw’s enthusiasm and encouragement was different because it extended to everyone that she met. Whether it was one of my friend’s careers or a stranger she met at a Ranger game, Nan Naw would listen with great intensity and typically reply with a “that’s so cool” or “you are awesome”.  I guess the lesson here is being positive not only encourages those around you, but it attracts new friends and a family that adores you.  There is no doubt that most of you here know the details of every accomplishment Paige, Tyler, and Me have had the past 20 years, for Nan Naw’s favorite topic to talk about was us kids. She was one of the most proud human beings I ever met, but let me tell you this, each of our accomplishments she bragged so much about, was as much her success as ours, for there is no possible way that we would have set out to take risks, try new hobbies, or set such large goals if it had not been for her continuous words of encouragement and positive attitude. 

In closing, I ask each of you to remember this positive attitude for the rest of your lives as I will remember it for mine. Next time you are having a tough week, facing a difficult decision, or questioning whether you are going to get through the day, I ask you to simply close your eyes and imagine Nan Naw giving you the thumbs up and simply saying “U Bet”.

I love you Nan Naw

FAN YOUR FLAME.

Don't let your fire burn out. Stay passionate about your life. Stay enthusiastic about your dreams.

Hart read this quote to Christen over $1 fish tacos and PBRs at Hand in Hand last night.
I dug it.

Make it count.