Easter Sunrise on Useppa Island

A Glorious Day of Renewal

by Karen Kauffman

As several hundred gather on the beach, we wait for the sun to rise upon this unique location. Neighbors and friends sharing a blessing for what has been and what is to come.

 We arrive from as near as Naples, Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. We make our way from Georgia, New Jersey, New York and New England, from across the Midwest and New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Canada and the United Kingdom.

 What we have in common is this island paradise, a small jewel of an island that rarely appears on a map and barely shows on a chart. Yet, whether you are 9 months old, 90 years old, or anywhere in between, we welcome you.

 Coming to a new location, at any age, can be intimidating. Wondering how you will like it, and if it will like you, is daunting. The Useppa experience is quite different. We have all felt the magic here. From the moment you step onto these shores, our community embraces you. We are here for one another, exemplified by the serenity we feel when our children go out to explore, when neighbors readily lend a hand and when all share a commitment to maintain the Island’s sacred beauty and history. We, collectively, create an unmatched experience for all to enjoy.

 

A sanctuary for exploration and rebirth, on this island, we shed our personas from the past and strive to be the people we always knew we could be. Whether it is your first time visiting, you’ve lived here for months, or maybe decades, all are welcome.

 On Easter morning, let the sun rise and shine gently upon you. Open your hearts and your minds. Look with gratitude to your left, then to your right, and know that you are welcomed to share, as one of us, this Easter morning -- a glorious day of renewal.