Standing tall, firmly rooted: Lessons from sea oats

“Grief is the language of love.”  Jayson Greene

The ebb and flow of emotions that stem from my mother’s recent health crisis and her passing away (June 26, 2026) is at times, exhausting,I am navigating well most days and some days just navigating.

My tendency in dealing with grief is to withdraw and seek solitude. In other words, hide.

Summer was already in full swing when my daughter, son-in-law and their kiddos invited Daniel and me to join them for a few days of fun in the sun.

“I will think about it.”

Inhaling sea salt air, mega doses of vitamin D, sand between my toes, soothing sounds of the ocean.

Time with family. 

Sounds therapeutic for sure. 

Perhaps changing my environment would be beneficial.

Research says that “exposure to blue spaces” has been linked to overall improved health.

A sanctuary designed by The Creator of the Universe may just be the place to help me rediscover solace for my soul.

“We will join you all.”  “When do we leave?”

Beachbound!

Our travels took us to Hilton Head, a barrier island within the South Carolina Lowcountry, located in Beaufort County. 

Despite the extremely high temperatures, dangerous heat index and my internal thermometer already out of control, I was more than ready to don my swimsuit, flip flops, sun-scream and head down to the blue waters of the Atlantic.

Practically running down to the ocean, I slowed my pace long enough to admire beach grass standing tall along the dunes and dancing gracefully to the rhythm of an ocean breeze.  

Uniola paniculata, or sea oats is a slow growing, long-lived, warm season plant commonly associated with the upper dunes along beach fronts.

The perennial “willowy grasses” stand approximately 6 to 8 feet high and its green leaves can grow to 24 inches in length. The leaves contain seeds and when they reach full maturity turn a beautiful hue of golden-brown.

Sea oats promote sand dune growth by catching sand in the wind and they help protect beaches and property from damage due to tropical storms, high winds, hurricanes, and storm surges.  

Tolerating salt spray and brief inundation with salt water, sea oats also hold sand and soil in place during storms. Sea oats are very drought tolerant and they know difficult times.  

One of sea oats' most crucial features is its massive root system. Without a strong root system the coastal plant has no chance for survival during harsh conditions.

Sea oats’ deep roots can withstand the havoc of the fiercest of storms because they are firmly anchored to the ground. 

Similarly, deep roots in God’s steadfast love, His promises, His sovereignty will keep me firmly anchored.

When life’s storms make landfall, my roots in Christ will provide the stability needed for standing firm.  I am sure of it.

Moving forward with my grief, I will hold fast to my confession of faith and rest in the faithfulness of the Lord..

Not one human being is promised a life without “storm-like conditions” but one thing is for certain - God promises His protection, His presence, His peace in the midst of them.

Are your roots massive?