PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Where? North, north,
north. A small island in Canada. Near my home island, Newfoundland.
Why? It's the setting of my absolute favorite book/movie. It's the dreamy home of a fictional character whose spunk, imagination, and luster for life helped rear me from childhood into adulthood. Red-headed Anne Shirley captivated my heart once upon a time and settled there, reminding me to lift my chin, to write even when I have nothing to say, to be wild and untamed, and to hold out for my own Gilbert Blythe. I want to see the places that inspired her. Green Gables. White Way Delight. Lake of Shining Waters. The Haunted Woods. I want to stand on the sand dunes and feel the wind whip through my hair. Drink Raspberry Cordial in the warmth of the afternoon. Spread a blanket out on rolling pastures and burry my head in a book. Stand along the shore and peer out at the horizon while counting my blessings. I find a certain solace in that girl with the straw hat and strong will. I trust her. I think it's okay to trust a girl with a freckled face and unwavering belief in kindred spirits…don't you? I think it's okay to dream of stealing away to a place tucked away in the corner of a continent; a place put on the map by an author who saw a story and told it brilliantly and beautifully.
