It reminds me why we came to Port Isabel in the first place. You can’t stop the waves. Not the Gulf waves rolling in at South Padre. Not the waves of grief after my mother passed. Not the waves of strained relationships. Not the waves of doubt that still try to visit at 3 a.m. […]
Tuesday morning, Toby Keith’s “Don’t Let the Old Man In” stayed with me long after the song ended. I’d already posted for the day, but some truths don’t knock once—they linger until you listen. Here in Port Isabel, where the Gulf breeze softens the edges of time and the sun seems to rise with quiet […]
Monday morning found us gathered once again in the campground hall as the week unfolded—pool workouts, tours, crafts, games, potlucks, and the easy rhythm of a place where people show up simply to enjoy where they are. It felt familiar now. Not routine—rooted. Later, the winds had their say, turning our outdoor dinner plans into […]
Growing up, I learned early what it feels like to be small—physically, emotionally, and socially. At three years old, spinal meningitis nearly killed me. It left my body fragile and my confidence fractured. By ninth grade I was barely 4’11”. When I finally grew to 5’11” in tenth grade, I still weighed just 98 pounds. […]
For most of my life, I wore armor. Anger. Control. Overachievement. Silence. Not because I was strong—but because I was afraid of what might break through. Every book I’ve written is, in some way, about laying that armor down. In Big Enough Now, I wrote about outgrowing the defenses that once kept us alive but […]
Today my mind wanders to the poignant verses of Cassie Phillips’ poem, “Just Let Them” (the tattoo is also on my right hand). As I wander along this beautiful place, the poem’s words resonate within me: “Just let them.” In this tranquil town, each sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico is a testament to the […]
Trust is the quiet foundation of everything beautiful in life. It’s not flashy or loud, but it’s always there, holding things together, steady and strong. And for me, trust is at the heart of my life with Melody. Here in Port Isabel, every sunrise reminds me of the life we’ve built and the peace we’ve […]
Life in Port Isabel still has a way of wrapping you in its beauty—a warmth that seeps into your bones and loosens the weight you didn’t even realize you were carrying. Each day begins with a sunrise that paints the sky in colors so vivid they feel borrowed from another world. The ocean breeze, the […]
The conversations surrounding morality, salvation, and the motivations of public figures often lead me to reflect on a deeper truth: how do we navigate the fine lines between judgment and being judgmental, as well as ethics and morality? These are challenges we all face, regardless of where our beliefs lie. I’m reminded of the story […]
Every morning, I start my day with a little ritual. I wake up here in Port Isabel, where the sun rises gently over the horizon, and take a moment to check the cameras at home. The sight of beautiful snow blanketing everything, paired with the freezing temperatures I see on the weather app, reminds me […]