Here we are down in Charleston, SC.  We decided to pack a bag, leave a note, and take a little over-nighter down to our home-away-from-home.

It has been a great trip, so far. But it has crossed a wide span of emotions. We have had a great deal of fun; had the opportunity to see some old friends; and of course, explore this amazing city once again.

So much of it seems exactly the same, but simultaneously different.

The city buzzes with activity.  There is history pouring out of the sidewalks and spilling from the tops of buildings.  Gorgeous cemeteries, beautiful weather, and a view of the bay which is speckled with remnants of old Civil War Forts and battle sites… the likes of which include Fort Sumter.

A cruise ship was in yesterday, and those boat people were in a touristy-shopping frenzy.  And speaking of frenzies, we have been eating like Bandits since we got here.  Actually, we have been eating like Kings!

I walked a great deal of the downtown from end to end.  And then I made the decision to visit a church.  Not just any church, but the Emanuel AME.  I have been past that church a hundred times before.

And never, in all those times, did I ever suspect that a horrific tragedy would take place there.

As I stood before it today…. it felt like the world had simply moved on.  Most of the world, at least.  Certainly, the loved ones of those slain will never move on.  They will always be reminded.  Somehow, somewhere.

I stood at those steps, in front of that church.  I imagined the evening of June 17, 2015…. moments before the mass shooting took place. During a prayer service, nine people were killed by a gunman, Dylann Storm Roof.

He walked up those very steps… with intent and purpose.  As a result, nine innocent people died, because they were black.  No other reason.

I will never be able to wrap my mind around this way of thinking.  Why a person hates other people, simply because they are not the same as the person filled with hate.

Blacks, Homosexuals, Jews, Women, so many more… just because…. and for no good reason.  If you call it religious beliefs, I don’t want your religion.  If you call it God’s will… I don’t want anything from that particular God.

I want to know love,  kindness, goodness, acceptance, and compassion.

Like walking down a familiar street, in a place you love.  Like sharing breakfast with a couple of old friends.  Like being yourself, exactly as you were meant to be.

Without ever having to worry about falling victim to someone’s hatred.

Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd (54) – Bible study member and manager for the Charleston County Public Library system; sister of Malcolm Graham
Susie Jackson (87) – a Bible study and church choir member
Ethel Lee Lance (70) – the church’s sexton
Depayne Middleton-Doctor (49) – a pastor who was also employed as a school administrator and admissions coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University
Clementa C. Pinckney (41) – the church’s pastor and a South Carolina state senator
Tywanza Sanders (26) – a Bible study member; nephew of Susie Jackson
Daniel Simmons (74) – a pastor who also served at Greater Zion AME Church in Awendaw
Sharonda Coleman-Singleton (45) – a pastor; also a speech therapist and track coach at Goose Creek High School
Myra Thompson (59) – a Bible study teacher

Bless them.  Their families, their hearts, their souls.

“What would Scooby Doo?”  —  Seen on T-Shirt in Charleston, SC

“I didn’t mean to hack anyone off tonight.  I just think we should all try to get along.” — Polly C Kronenberger