Corolla - Twenty-five Years

Twenty-five years ago, a group of friends at St.Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville, North Carolina decided to go to Corolla on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a vacation.  Last week, 26 friends, most from the original group plus a few who joined later, enjoyed perfect weather to celebrate their twenty-fifth year of friendship, love and laughter.

Aloma and I joined the group a couple of years after the first vacation and have enjoyed the group without missing a single year.  This year, two large oceanfront houses were filled to the brim.  We had a celebration luncheon and gave thanks each night in our prayers for our friends and our special vacation in Corolla.

There are some differences between now and 25 years ago.  We were in our 40’s and 50’s back then.  We played tennis daily from early morning to mid-afternoon.  We took long bike rides and walked for miles on the beach and even had a golf tournament.  Card games lasted until late at night. Now we are in our 60’s and 70’s and three of us are in our 80’s.  While there were a few tennis matches, walks on the beach, short bike rides and a miniature golf tournament, most of us sat and talked with each other, enjoyed the view of the ocean and read books.  Even without the activities, the week at Corolla gets better every year.

Every day, I spent some time in an alcove where I could read, relax and use my laptop.  When the women would work on a meal, I noticed the laughter and talk; the sound was the same as 25 years ago - definitely as loud.

So, what’s in our future?  We’ve already lost two husbands who have passed on.  How many more years will we be able to make the car trip from Mooresville, the Raleigh area, Georgia and Kentucky to the Outer Banks?  Aloma and I plan to be at Corolla every year that we’re able.  Others said the same.  Special thanks to Pam and Bill for organizing the trips over the years.

When I was in the hospital recovering from my accident, I looked ahead for a reason to heal.  Looking forward to Corolla was one of them - and this year more than met my expectations.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com