Lost
My brothers and I were spaced, chronologically, such that we had no common friends or interests while we were living together in northwest Ohio. I was the oldest, L. was 4 years younger, and B. was 10 years younger. It took a couple of decades and thousands of miles of geographical migration for us to reacquaint with each other on more than superficial terms, but the last 15 years or so have seen us really enjoy each other as adults fairly comfortable in our skins, to the point where we have 3 permanent annual meetups, plus the occasional serendipitous assignation.
This April retreat to the Litchfield resort on Pawley’s Island, SC is one of the three. It began when my parents started golfing their way down to my brother L.’s place near Charleston in the spring. I’m not clear on how they got started on the Litchfield beach thing, but it culminated in my youngest brother’s wedding on the beach 10 years ago.
April is the perfect time to hit the beach in SC. The weather is often coolish, like high 60s to mid-70s. The locals think it’s too cold to come to the beach, and it’s not yet tourist season. Perfect, in other words, for Seattle people to be able to wear only one layer of high-tech polypro garments to the beach and feel like they’re having a tropical experience.
Our mom joins us in Litchfield, and while the place is rife with memories of our dad, our occasional sadness is overcome by our desire to retain this place and season as a catalyst to celebrate our shared experience. We’ve been joined the past 2 or 3 years by my mom’s sister, who moved to North Myrtle Beach a few years ago.
The generational sibling experience (my bros, and my mom and her younger sister) is interesting. A couple of times, my aunt and my mom resurrected 70-year-old grudges! There was something about staying too long at a movie while my mom was in charge of my aunt, and my aunt tattling something to my grandfather, and my mom getting in trouble. I’m sure the chain of misery didn’t stop there.
There are similar tales of oppression and retribution among the three of us brothers - stuff I’ve either suppressed or outright disbelieve. I was always all about their best interests, you see. This year, we added a generation to the mix, my youngest bro’s step-granddaughter, making us a collection of 4 generations.
Here are some photos, with no particular point in mind (click any photo to enlarge):
Locals, fersure, but neither is my sibling:
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Snowy egrets are fairly plentiful:
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And we saw an oystercatcher in Murrell’s Inlet when we rented kayaks. I’m pretty sure this guy didn’t catch all of those oyster’s he’s standing on. They recycle oyster shells to restore habitat in the area:
Here’s my youngest bro with one of his stepdaughters, and Mrs. Perils:
I was there, too.
Apparently there was a wrestling match. Apparently, I was losing:
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Middle bro L. and his wife:
Kitsch abounds near Myrtle Beach, and apparently there’s no place to hide:
I know I left some people out, but this post has been moldering enough. Besides, I’m pretty sure no one wants to be seated next to the urinal.
A fine capsulization of your experiences! I like the photos, particularly the lady with the magnifying glass. My wife and I are on a mini-vacation of our own at the moment, in Chicago, reliving the glory days!
I hardly ever see my siblings. In one case, this is not the worst news. But I would like to try to see them more regularly. Maybe you’ve inspired me to try to put something together.
Only no wrestling matches. I was the biggest baby, but now I am the shortest of the three. Dammit.
What a nice family gathering, Phil. We don’t get to do that much with my family, or Roger’s . We’re hoping to remedy that by moving within driving distance of them. There’s only 5 years difference between my older brother and younger sister, with me and my twin brother in the middle. We were like a crazy tribe from the very beginning.
OMG, do you mean I have to look forward to those wrestling matches forEVER??! We have two sons, now 31 & 34 (I know, I know — not possibly possible. I’m MUCH too young for that to be a true fact!) Every single time they see each other, no matter how many months have gone by, the first thing they do is re-establish some sort of territorial dominance. There is grunting, there is laughing…occasionally a foot will go through a bit of plaster. One time a picture fell off the wall. If I’m very lucky, I remember to have a camera within reach, but sometimes my only goal is to get the heck out of the way in time! Fun stuff, Phil
John - Of course, when I used it, she screamed as if she’d been staring at the sun. Have fun in Chicago!
Kathy - Try it, see how it works at this remove. We might just be lucky, but I’m gratified. As for the wrestling, I try to avoid it. I’m the oldest, but also the smallest by a couple orders of magnitude.
Robin - Your descriptions of your family disclose a tight-knit crew. Hope the move puts you closer. Though we hate to lose your Washington perspective.
Carroll - Why, you must have married at 10. My SIL grabbed my camera and took the picture. She didn’t have time to put up the flash, thankfully, or we’d see just how badly I was faring. As I indicated, I try to avoid most of these situations, always try to place myself between them and an escape route. Speed is my only advantage.