![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8362.jpg?resize=301%2C388&ssl=1)
Dear Reader:
A wonderful ” God Wink” appeared in the final few minutes of our last Ya Ya Edisto Reunion Day… ( yesterday) in the form of a comment from a reader- Helen Willis. She ” just happened” upon one of my blogs dating back to August 11, 2017-titled ” A Thank You Note to God.” ( remembering Beverly Barutio)
Paraphrased… Helen explained how she spent her summers in Luck, NC with her dad and stepmom- who was a best friend with Beverly Barutio-creator of St Jude’s Chapel of Hope!
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8367.jpg?resize=316%2C440&ssl=1)
Helen’s fond memories include sitting in a hot tub by the creek drinking wine and sharing stories, laughter… walking around Beverly’s beautiful koi ponds, antiquing, and sweating while canning to replace empty shelves at the ” Putting Up” House!
Every time she visited Bill and Beverly Barutio’s historical stone home… Beverly’s presence… simply her essence .. drew one in… feeling well or not… she had a smile on her face… like shining sunbeams!
I wrote Helen back and said I had no idea there were any houses in Luck… all I ever remember seeing was a long ago closed gas station.
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8365.jpg?resize=208%2C137&ssl=1)
Beverly was that ” strong person ” whose personal story held faith and fight together resulting in the creation of St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope … a story that was so powerful it changed my direction in life and inspired my decision to share my story.
We Ya’s have all experienced our own trials and tribulations … resulting in a sense of renewed gratitude to God for life… for the chance to be together… something no longer taken for granted… ( resulting in more teary/eyed good-byes! )
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8326.jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)
You can always identify people who have faced the prospect of their own ” ending.” The stronger the person … the stronger the story. Beverly Barutio left others to tell the story… instead she decided to leave her mark in the form of a little chapel in the woods that fills visitors’ souls with hope… her ” thank you” to God and St. Jude for her life extension to be with those she loved !
Today hand painted barn quilts of Madison County are popping up regularly from county art councils. The quilt symbolizes comfort, family, heritage, and community.
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8368.jpg?resize=567%2C376&ssl=1)
So until tomorrow…
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8361.jpg?resize=389%2C572&ssl=1)
Today is my favorite day! Winnie the Pooh
I returned home from Edisto Island to my lantana popping like popcorn where nothing was seen before I left Monday!
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8370.jpg?resize=640%2C266&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8372.jpg?resize=640%2C975&ssl=1)
The mums didn’t want to be left out either…
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8373.jpg?resize=640%2C644&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8371.jpg?resize=640%2C461&ssl=1)
Right now I am going through my transition period… feels like the driftwood at Botany Bay… isolated and a little adrift…
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8374.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Official Happy Birthday to the ” High Ya Priestess ” – she fearlessly leads the rest of us into the next future year… yelling back ” Come on in… the water’s fine!”
![](https://i0.wp.com/chapelofhopestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img_8375.gif?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1)
♥️Amen♥️