Healing in Travels - Day 4

Monday, July 17, 2023

I knew there were a few things that I had not checked off my “do-list” in Columbia. I told Scott I wasn’t sure if I would be home that day or the next.

By the time I got to Columbia, it was already 1:00 so I decided I needed one more day. I washed my car to get all the salt off of it. I ate at a great brunch place called Another Broken Egg. The food was amazing and highly recommended.

I booked a room at the same hotel as the first night and knew I had to go back.

I turned left onto my road behind a small pickup truck. Imagine my surprise when it turned right into the driveway. I couldn’t bail now.

I pulled in behind the truck. I didn’t want to come on too strong so I started talking to the male driver. He told me the homeowner was the female passenger.

She got out, and I introduced myself. Not batting an eye, she asked, “So you want to come in and take a look?” “Yes,” I said.

She explained that she has cancer, and is getting treatment in Charleston. They had just returned.

I accompanied her up the stairs, and she kept apologizing for how unkempt her home was. I admonished her and told her that her goal is to heal and not worry about the status of her house.

I thought about bailing, but my curiosity prevailed.

First thing I noticed? She painted ALL of my dad’s trimming. All of his hand-stained trim. She thought it was too dark.

I got over it quickly as she showed me each room. She praised my mom and dad for their beautiful home, especially the backyard. She’s an amateur bird photographer which my dad would have loved.

I thanked her for her hospitality, and she told me to wait. She went back into the bedroom and pulled out two of her photographs from the backyard. She offered them to me. “Are you sure?” I asked.

I went back to the hotel, sat by the pool, and went back to the Blue Marlin for dinner.

I texted Scott, “I’m ready to come home.”

I left the next morning and headed back home…from the homes that built me.