I had always dreamed of buying a house on Higgins Beach but those charming seaside cottages sell for over a million, likely two, and they rarely come to market. But I do live in an affordable cottage of my dreams that’s only 3 1/2 miles away.

The shorebirds and I had the beach all to ourselves before sunrise this morning until a few surfers showed up. I felt very wealthy and blessed with such an enchanting place and production that made it seem as if I was in a Maxfield Parrish painting.

I used to sit on those rocks and pray in the early 1990s when I lived across the street in an apartment inside a converted early 20th century Inn. No matter what was breaking my heart or spirit, coming to Higgins Beach always made me fall in love with life in that moment and even my life as broken as it sometimes seemed.

I’m so grateful for this special place!