A Cradle for the Solitary in a Tiny Coastal Village
~ Excerpt ~​

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As summer gracefully melded into fall, her spirit became alive once more.  1993 was her garden of planting, emotionally, spiritually and even actually. She planted a few veggies in her side yard. Roots were growing in her life alone. It was a symbol of a new life for Megan.

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There were mountains of obstacles to summit, but she resolved to find joy and live responsible for her own well-being. The beach at the Umpqua Lighthouse in Winchester Bay became the refreshing point of many days.

Long walks with toes in sand, life was becoming beautiful inside of Megan.

Her children far away now to their own lives; with their own children now approaching teenagers, she left them to live it as families need space to tend their own gardens of life.

They did not need her story permeating their lives. They were aware, of course, but she kept the day-to-day trials at a distance, only calling with good news. And soon it really was good news. 

Megan was once more herself.  The real woman of worth, not the thing filthy words had beaten into her.  She was alive to the good of life once more and loving it all.

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The Oregon Coast became her palette for painting and life both inside and out.

Her cottage rental fit her to the nth degree.  The beach at her beckoning by only a few miles offset tiredness of work.  Her paints were out, and the easel set up, and paintings came to be worthy of selling. And she found a wonderful gallery in Bandon to sell through. Lighthouse and story sea of misty weather were her paintings, and they sold.

 

Megan was once more the artist and loved the incredible opportunity that God opened the door to. Michigan and the life before were fading into a new life of middle-aged filtering into age. She was building a successful business, and for once in her solitary life, she was happy.  Thrilled!

 

She had every intention of returning to Ludington one day, closer to the children, but she had no funds to re-capture her shop and run it. Life with Daniel had demolished all of her savings and resources.  And her leased the shop in excellent hands for now.  The couple running it, loving it. The shop could run its lease out, which would assist her in setting up a new life in Oregon. One day, Ludington would once more be home.

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But for now, her dream of returning to Ludington and her shop will wait. Megan’s wistful dream of and memories of the cottage and business waiting in other hands, like treasures in a gilded box she kept them in.  Time actually seemed to be stationed in a bottle for now.  This cottage in Gardiner was the beginning of her lovely, solitary life. A life apart, she treasures to this day. 

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Winter came to the Oregon Coast and all the Cascades of Oregon weighted in with sometimes impassable snow. Cold drizzles and foggy days on the coast set a feeling of nostalgia for her. It was the Norwegian and her love of the sea in her.

 

As the normal of life ebbs into its season, she went out to a lot and bought a Christmas tree and decorations, lights of bells and beauty.  When it was finished, she sat in the room with a cup of cocoa and sipped, admiring the beauty of her surroundings.  There were tears of joy in her eyes. The lights glistened off the ornaments and carols, playing softly, were the signal of solidarity to faith.

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Megan was falling in love with life once more.