#Chincoteague #Assateague #Virginia #JamesAlone #shipwreck #vacation #beach #ceceliadowdy

Wow, what a busy couple of weeks it has been! Our son has officially moved into his dorm room! We’re officially empty nesters! Here are a few pics from his move-in day!

In my last newsletter, I’d mentioned that we were embarking on an amazing adventure! We went to Chincoteague Island for vacation! So much fun!

This little guy came looking for food!

We tried a glazed donut topped with bacon! Tasted strange! I prefer my bacon on the side!

I visited the Museum of Chincoteague Island.

While visiting the museum, I was mesmerized about the account of James Alone.

Over 200 years ago a Spanish ship was tossed amidst a raging storm off the coast of Assateague Island. The ship broke apart and 400+ soldiers, plus wives and children, perished. Before the ship broke apart, the mother of one of the children tied her boy to a wooden plank and tossed him into the ocean, desperately hoping that he would survive.

When the storm was over, the boy washed ashore. The boy spoke in a language unknown to the islanders. The islanders raised the boy as their own.

They named him James Alone.

When James was 20 years old, he officially changed his name to James Lunn. He chose that name because that was the name of the family who raised him.

James Lunn married twice and had kids and grandchildren. Many islanders can trace their lineage back to James Lunn.

This story resonates with me because I wonder how it feels not to know from where you came.

What I mean is, what is it like to not know your relatives, which might lead one to wonder about one’s roots.

James Alone never knew his mom. In spite of this he lived a life on the island and he embraced his new family.

In Rocky Road Dreams, Kyle is somewhat lost – he never knew his mom, and not knowing her – has left an unfilled hole in his life.

During his work hiatus, he longs to find out more about the mother who gave birth to both him and his twin brother.

Rocky Road Dreams is the story about a journey – a mysterious journey where Kyle finds out about his mother’s past, giving him insight into his current life.

I hope all of you have an amazing week!