What’s interesting when you get in the car with my mother is that you know this is going to be another moment in time that you are sure you will savor and cherish for the rest of your, life, especially at age 44. For as long as I can remember, I have always been my mother’s “road dog” as she and I have driven for thousands of miles since I first got my license at 17. November, 2015 we set off on another road trip to Beaufort, South Carolina on a journey that can only be defined as destiny; a journey into our collective past to discover who we are and from where we came; the Heritage Days Festival on St. Helena Island, South Carolina.
During the drive I took the time to listen carefully and ask just the right questions, Is the music ok?, Am I driving too fast? And oh by the way, just what do you know about Beaufort, other than what Aunt Margaret told us?” Mom’s answers were short, direct yet insightful and it felt to me that she was taking in as much of the time together with me, her son, as she was lost in thought about what she may discover on this journey for herself.
When we arrived I discovered a magnificent and beautiful place that felt more like home than where I had been living for the past 6 years. It was eerily strange and overwhelmingly loving from the first “hello” from someone who seemed more like a distant relation than a perfect stranger. It was three days of cultural education and personal discovery where I met some of the most amazing and beautiful people, was adopted by a 93 year old woman as her newest grandson (whom I still call and keep in touch with to this day) and I discovered that my first ancestor to arrive from Africa as a slave, arrived on St. Helena Island in 1820, just shy of 200 years before my arrival, with my mother.
Ryan J. Heathcock
Once Upon A Time
"Recording your story in your own words for the generations to come."
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