Lean on Me

In 2001, West Ashley resident Jo Carson strolled the beach with her husband, Larry, after finishing chemotherapy, and quietly gathered white oyster shells. “I’ll make an angel out of these,” she thought. Little did she know the shells would lead far beyond a healing diversion, to a rewarding business with her dearest friend, Shirley Altman.
Housebound during her recovery, yet an avid gardener and nature lover, Carson was “like a convict looking out the bars,” says Larry. “Her system was so low, she couldn’t get out and about easily.” He wanted his outgoing, energetic wife back to where she was before a double mastectomy and reactions to chemo hit her spirits so hard. Married for 53 years after they met at a drive-in restaurant in downtown Charleston, he says his wife cannot bear to stay idle. So when she started creating angels in earnest with Shirley, it was a welcome outlet, and uplifting to see her old self emerging again. “I love to see her laugh,” says Larry. Today, Altman and Carson are known for their stunning, beautiful seashell creations.
The two have known each other for 39 years since living two doors apart in Hanahan. From the start, it was a comfortable relationship. They both grew up in the countryside, are devoted to their families, and are active church members. Carson is the proud mother of Larry Jr., Chris, and Michael. Altman is the equally proud mother of David and Linda. The women also share an artistic streak, and both love gardening. “Loyal,” is how Carson describes Altman. “Amazing, and an inspiration,” says Altman of Carson.
When the families moved to this area, they stayed connected. In fact, Carson was only willing to participate in a “Neighbors” column if her friend would also be included. How could she talk about her seashells business without Altman? Unthinkable.
They’ve always created beauty together.
The two used to build pinecone wreaths in Hanahan. They’d see the potential in giant cones, the zinnia-type rosettes that could be made from a natural object. They would then sell their wreaths at garage sales.
On walks together, they critiqued various landscapes, and visualized improvements. In fact, when Shirley decided her front lawn needed a shade tree, they snuck a sizeable maple from the marsh, and installed it before Shirley’s husband, Billy, came home that afternoon. Another day, Carson’s husband, Larry, heard thumps coming from a region in the house, and says he discovered Shirley and Jo demolishing a wall. They seem to fuel each other’s desire for esthetics.
So when the oyster shell angels emerged, it wasn’t long before the two were perusing the aisles at craft stores. They purchased tiny hair pieces to make wigs for the angels and personalized them with names. “One of our early angels looked like Dolly Parton,” says Carson. “Dolly had
Today, they belong to Folly Beach Arts & Crafts Guild, and although they have separate business licenses, they team up at craft shows whenever possible. They also sell items from their homes.
“We dedicate ourselves to detail, spending hours together on artistic design,” says Altman. “Our goal is about making it look handmade, but not homemade.” Both women agree the financial rewards take second seat to the connections they make with others. Plus it is always good to share the story of recovery because it greatly lightens one’s own load in the process.
“The people we meet are so sweet and kind,” says Altman.
Clearly, however, the same could be said of these two friends. Carson is going on ten years as a volunteer at Springfield Elementary, helping kindergartners and first graders with the alphabet, reading, and math. Altman volunteers in the nursery at her church, where she has the joy of seeing two- and three-year olds progress through the crawling, to the walking-and-talking stage.
In addition, both stay very busy with their own grandchildren. “Of course we adore them,” says Carson. “More than you know,” adds Altman.
Meanwhile, they are preparing for an upcoming fundraiser on May 25th, the Edisto Beach Fire Department Fish Fry and Craft Show.
Carson says an advantage to facing illness is that the sun shines brighter because ordinary beauty, often overlooked, stands out more clearly. Devoted family and friends are valued in a new way.
Both women are grateful for a durable friendship, a gift as lovely as shells from the sea.
 
Lisa Weatherwax earned the Matrix Table Promise of Excellence Award. Reach her at weatherwaxwrites@aol.com