It was 1966 and he was home on leave for Thanksgiving. My cousin, Danny and my Grandma Smith hold his fresh catch from her farm pond. He’d just completed boot camp and was ready to serve on the USS Cacapon docked in Long Beach, California. I was an eleven-year-old kid looking up to my twenty-two-year old cousin. Now, fifty-one-years later, I have a second chance to know him.
We meet every year on Veteran’s Day at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County –within five miles of where our Grandma Smith had lived. This tradition started years ago after we discovered our common interest in hiking. Prior to that, I’d only spent time with him when he or his family would come by our home or we were at a gathering at Grandma Smith’s. I liked his sense of humor and always found him easy to talk with– especially for a guy. Must have been because he was a middle child, too, with an older and younger sister, like me.
Now we take the Campbell Loop trail that’ll be five miles into the hardwood forest. The path follows a stream that flows into the Cape Fear River. Over the years we’ve developed a familiar pattern of steady walking with stops to admire the natural wonder around us: light through the leaves, the way the water has carved the rock, fallen trees like sculpture over the stream. Along the way, we talk everything from news of our families, to politics, to issues of faith.
Sometimes we go back to memories of our teenage years. I love hearing his stories about a girl he liked, the male perspective I’d missed by not having brothers. Danny listens to my account of boys I chased that lived just down the road from Raven Rock in the Boone Trail community. I wish he’d been around then to give me advice.
Danny’s turn to lead
Me and Danny on Veteran’s Day Hike
Connie Rosser Riddle 
Yes, I have also connected with a cousin during the past few years that I was not close to before. We were not close in our youth because she grew up in Michigan and I in California. We’d only met in person 2 times as children, maybe only once, during summer family gatherings in southern Illinois where our parents grew up. I was always somewhat uncomfortable around her – she seemed like she was very self-centered. There may have been a lot more said and going on that I realized in my childish experience.
A few years ago I had my DNA tested and so did she and for some reason we were not a match. When her sister had hers tested and the sister and I were a match, she found out they were only half-siblings. So in her 60’s she finds out that her dad (both her parents are deceased), was not her biological dad.
She contacted me and we have met up in person a few more times on our own accord. She is a very forthcoming person and she shared many interesting stories about her life – far different from mine. She is trying to wrap her head around who she is. I have wondered how many people, including her father, knew the biological situation and how she was treated differently by the family even though she herself never knew. She told me she suspected there was something secret, but she never had a clue.
I found myself much more in simpatico with her as we were both outsiders (not growing up in southern Illinois). As we shared stories she has helped me see a different side to my mom’s family, not necessarily flattering. The truth is always a good thing.
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What an interesting story, Debbie. It sounds like your cousin has really benefitted from you reconnecting with her at a time of uncertainty in her life– and you have expanded your view of her as a person. It is interesting to get to the truth of our lives. Thanks for sharing how you had a second chance to know your cousin. Thanks for reading. Best to you, Connie
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Connie,
I could tell u and should every time I read your writing how “into the moment” it puts me. You paint word pictures that show the scenery, the people, and places.
Thank you; don’t ever stop!
Love you,
Betty
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Thanks so much, Betty. I do want to share to the point that my readers feel like they’re with me. We have so much that we want to tell others on this journey through life. I’m glad you’re on the path with me.
I appreciate your encouraging words.
Love you, too,
Connie
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Wonderful memory and you are so talented in retelling these memories! I felt like perhaps somehow I had met your cousin!
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Thanks so much, Janet. I wish you could meet, Danny because he is a joy to know!
I appreciate your kind words and always I’m grateful for you reading my posts.
Best to you,
Connie
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