Noli Me Tangere

The 2004 Sardine Hippie Road-Trip Adventure

As far back as I can remember in my childhood, my family would pile into a van each summer and make the 6 hr drive to Pawley’s Island, SC for the annual Okie family reunion. This was (and still is) a wonderful spot, a little-known 4-mile long barrier island south of Myrtle Beach. But the tradition died after my grandparents’ car got broadsided on the causeway one year and we really haven't been back since.

So we were all elated when my cousin Diana decided to hold her nuptials on the island, Sunday morning 5/30/04. For my generation, this was a return to the vacation spot of our youth, where we chased ghost crabs, read comic books and performed sadistic surgery on beached jellyfish.

But first came Charlotte’s graduation and Saturday afternoon I was hurtling down I-75 with a new Sunburst Seagull in the back seat and a 7pm date at the GA Agri-Center. I cried on this trip, as I have before on this same stretch of road. Not because I’m sad, but more because I’m both happy and sad all at once. Happy for my family and sad for me. Or happy to see them and sad that we live apart now. (Plus, by this point in the trip I’ve been doing nothing but thinking and feeling for the past hour and it can be a little much.) But mostly, I'm struck by the goodness in our lives. This is Grace, and it is beautiful.

Speaking of grace, Charlotte gamely delivered her valedictory address to much applause. Her face was larger than it had ever been before.

She delivered what is often such a dry, cliched message with great animation. Needless to say, she was thrilled when it was all over.

Afterward, we retired to the house for ice cream and mom’s cobbler. Outstanding.

Early the next morning, all eight (8!) of us packed ourselves like sardines in the minivan and rumbled down I-16 toward the coast. It was like a multi-generational hippie road trip complete with bushy beards, organic snacks, and 46 Nalgene bottles, except the VW bus had been replaced by a Plymouth Voyager.

I tend to be anxious and carsick in packed cars, but this road trip was a blast. We talked about relationships, theology and future plans. Adam gets the purple heart not only for riding 12 hours in a packed car with his new in-laws, but also for doing it all with his left buttock entirely off the seat. In the end, everyone was glad to have ridden in one car. This is closeness.

The island was serene, though busier than I remember. I don’t love the beach (I prefer the mountains) but this beach is relatively quiet and unspoiled and on this weekend, downright balmy.

Back at the house, we ate lots and were regaled by Scott’s stories.

We stayed very busy with this
...and this ...and also this

Diana and Damon seemed genuinely joyed to have everyone there. I don’t believe in omens, but even so, the rainbow that appeared later in the day made me glad. Glad for them. It was a fitting bookend.

And I kept thinking, “this life is good.”

Posted by aokie at June 2, 2004 01:08 AM