Healing in Travels - Day 2

Saturday, July 15, 2023

I packed up and headed to Charleston. I couldn’t leave without a quick trip back to my parent’s house. I’m not a wimp, and I knew I would regret it if I didn’t knock.

I walked up the steps and noticed several Amazon packages on the front porch. Enough to make it seem as if the owner was out of town for a couple of days. I knocked. I pushed the doorbell. No one was home. I would have peeked in windows at this point, but there was a camera security system.

So, I drove down to Charleston…Goose Creek specifically. I was born in Charleston, and I went to a Catholic school in Charleston. My dad was in the Navy and stationed there.

I guess I just always said Charleston because when we moved to California the summer after 4th grade, most people didn’t even know where South Carolina was so Goose Creek was definitely out of the question.

I drove by our house probably 10 times. I stopped. I took pictures. I never went to the door. The house looked a little sketchy. There were window air conditioners in two rooms, but I could have sworn we had central air by the time we left. All the blinds were drawn, and I just didn’t feel the need.

I then drove about 6 to 8 blocks away to my Grammy and Boompa’s (my mom’s parents) old house. Boompa was in the Navy too, and at one time was my dad’s commanding officer.

Their house was just as I remembered…from the outside. I chickened out. Except for a year in Newport News where my brother was born 2 ½ years after me, I basically grew up in their house with sleepovers and dinners all the time.

When I was 3, I told my mom that I was going to Grammy’s house. She packed me a little bag, and I went out the sliding glass door in the backyard. I used to play this “pretend” game all the time.

Well, this time wasn’t pretend for me. I walked the 6 to 8 blocks to Grammy’s house. Well, almost!

I’m not sure how much time went by, but my mom realized what happened and called the police who picked me up. I was actually on her road about 10 houses away.

After putting about 10 miles between both houses, I headed for Charleston because I had a dinner date.

Photo: Left to Right: Parent’s Home in Charleston and Grammy and Boompa’s Home in Charleston

I checked into the Courtyard Charleston Waterfront which was amazing. I would highly recommend and wish I had more time and money.

I met my Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda at Magnolia’s in Charleston. They are from Cincinnati but are retiring at Kiawah Island.

Uncle Bob is my dad’s youngest brother. Dad is one of 5. Uncle Paul is older and then there’s dad, Uncle Dick, Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary.

The food was delicious and the company was even better. Uncle Bob looks just like my dad, and their mannerisms are so similar. It was relaxing and disconcerting at the same time.

After hours of catching up and sharing amazing stories, it was time to go. When I returned to the hotel, I thought of 10 other things we didn’t cover. Until next time…