Terry Helwig Knihy

If only you could meet your younger, greener self, along life’s shore, what might you say? Terry Helwig explores this perennial question and how the human heart, tested by time and adversity, broken open by love and beauty, ripens and bears fruit. Her lyrical and compelling reflections awaken us to our place in the vast universe, to the currents of joy and loss, and to the sacred treasure of being alive. Inspired by her beloved Florida barrier island, Helwig discovers a landscape of fierce beauty within as well as without. She uncovers the solace of following the phases of the moon, the curve of a shell, and the solstice path of the sun. Nature reconnects us to our true center—that place where wisdom blooms. In the end, the sea’s tides mirror the ebb and flow of life. The dance of these perpetual tides changes the contour of our lives—continually shifting the shoreline of who we are and, more importantly, who we will become.

The narrative explores the complexities of familial love and responsibility, as Helwig navigates the challenges of caring for her five siblings amidst her mother's instability. It delves into the emotional struggles of understanding a mother's actions while also highlighting the difficult choices one must make to pursue personal dreams. Ultimately, it is a poignant reflection on the balance between holding on to loved ones and the necessity of letting go for one's own well-being.