The river that connects us
When thinking about what to write this month, I continued to come back to a message focused on family, the Fourth and the incredible natural environment we call home.
I was reminded of our founding father John Adam’s famous 1776 letter to his wife Abigail on the subject of celebrating the Declaration of Independence. In it he wrote: “It ought to be commemorated, the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.” As usual there was wisdom in a founding father’s words.
The Fourth of July is indeed, a special day on our calendar; it is more than just a day when things go on sale at our favorite stores. It is a holiday that unites our communities, states, and the nation through our shared patriotism. This year for our family it was no different and yet it was.
For the first time in almost 15 years, we had all three of our children home- together, unhurried, and perfectly content. Rose and I had spent the better part of June readying the home place and preparing for water born adventures for our children and their out-of-town friends and guests.
We piled in the boats early and headed out to the sandbar on the May River. It’s a place of annual ritual: tidal waters, anchored boats, coolers, grills and familiar voices drifting across the water as the sand disappears. Exactly what a holiday with family and friends should feel like.
The May River sandbars are the jewel of Bluffton’s celebration culture. At low tide stretches of sandy refuge where boats literally beach themselves and families revel in freedom. For as long as I can remember this has been our family tradition, each of the children has grown up on the sandbar and yet with competing camp, summer abroad and work schedules we have not been able to all be together for many years – this year it felt like a perfect symphony of togetherness.
But these lighthearted scenes carry a deeper promise: we are stewards of this river. The May isn’t merely beautiful; it is part of our natural legacy. It’s 15 miles long sweeping through marshes rich with oysters, shrimp, and crabs.
A tidal river, it is sustained entirely by ocean tides- supporting a fragile ecosystem that includes migratory birds, fiddlers’ crabs, dolphins’ fisheries and hatcheries. Over the past couple of decades, however, its health has taken a hit. The rapid development in Bluffton has increased storm water runoff and fecal coliform levels. Its not just scientific jargon, sections of the river have been closed to shellfish harvesting.
This year my thoughts kept returning to the many years of River Sweeps and clean up days not only involving my family but the hundreds of volunteers that have removed something like 60,000 lbs of trash in recent years.
We owe this place more than gratitude. It’s where history and modern life intertwine, this river sustained Native Americans, carried goods and oyster fleets during the antebellum era and drew summer residents seeking the breeze of the high bluffs. Bluffton began its life on the bluffs above these tides and today we build memories on these same waters.
So, while our children hung on to the back of a large floating “oasis” when the tide overtook the sandbar each explaining to their out-of-town friends about the uniqueness of the river and recalling the lectures from old Dad regarding protecting our rivers for generations to come, I realized my children know that part of freedom is caring for what sustains it.
It is an honor and pleasure to serve in the SC House of Representatives. If I may be of assistance, please call on me.
Weston Newton is the representative for District 120 in the State House of Representatives. WestonNewton@schouse.gov
