Proximity means a lot to relationships.
A major positive change to the quiet, peaceful lives of Marjorie and Don Scooler was the arrival in the Charleston area, from where they were living in Oblong/Robinson, Illinois, of their daughter, Christine and her beautiful baby boy, Joshua. Circa 1995.

Okay. Enough of this third person nonsense. Marjorie and I were so fortunate to have both Christine and Josh close to us in Charleston for about 26 years, until he went back to Robinson to marry his lovely young bride, Cierra, in 2021.

Josh and Cierra have now started an entirely new chapter in our family story, with the birth of their beautiful daughter, Lucy, our two-year-old miracle great granddaughter. The miracle is that I’m still around to meet and love on her.

Reminiscence time ——. Here’s how I recall a typical outing for Josh and me about 25 years ago.
We would first walk about 2 blocks to the sea wall by Battery Park. I’d have secreted a couple bread slices in my pocket. At the water’s edge, we’d look for any birds. None in sight. I would throw some small bits of bread into the air. They would fall to the water. Still no birds. Try again. In less than a minute, out of nowhere, we would hear the flapping of wings and see several sea gulls attacking the bread I just threw. Josh would join in the feeding.
We would both laugh and/or squeal at the gulls, especially when they would catch some bread in mid flight.
When the bread was gone, about 5 minutes, we’d continue our walk, first to East Battery, then north to Hazel Parker Playground. Wow. Swings, slides, monkey bars and sometimes some other 4-8 year olds for Josh to romp with. I would stand in the shade somewhere close by and watch the fun. After a mutually agreed upon time (usually about 15 minutes) we would head to our next destinations, the candy store and the YooHoo store on Market Street. That’s about a 10 block walk, quite a hike for a 4-7 year old. Or a 60+ year old as well.
Armed with a bit of candy, we would stop next at the YooHoo store, a large cafe that sold coffee and a beverage called YooHoo, among many other treats. I would sit and rest my feet and have a big cup of coffee. Josh would also sit to enjoy his YooHoo sugar high.

Now it’s time for the long journey home. If Josh complained of being tired, I’d bribe/challenge him by promising to carry him on my shoulders when we got South of Broad. Broad Street was only about 6 blocks from where we were.
As promised, I’d hoist him onto my shoulders at the 4 corners of law at Broad and Meeting Streets. Only about 10-12 blocks to our house.
We did this itinerary so often, we became a part of the Charleston Walking Tour one day. A tour guide told his group. “There’s grandpa with his little boy. We see them every day.”
All usually went swimmingly on this part of our outing, until one day I got too close to a tree. A small twig from a low hanging branch poked Josh just below his eye. It scared the hell outta me, scratched him slightly, and gave him something to berate me about for these past 25 years or so.
Soon we arrived home, or on the sidewalk three flights (47 steps, but who’s counting?) below our apartment. Yes, we have an elevator, but that’s way too easy.
Believe it or not, I would mockingly chase Josh up all three flights sometimes. Marjorie would cheerfully welcome us home with something great to eat or drink.
Those were such wonderful, idyllic times for us. Where the hell did they go? Hello Lucy, wanna go for a walk with Great-Granddaddy? Think that’s possible? We’ll see. Maybe July, 2025. Some modification may be necessary. LOL. Enuf.