An Adopted Son of the Palmetto State

An Adopted Son of the Palmetto State

  

My parents are George J. Rossi and Marjorie B. Gretz.   Dad died in October 2013 and mom is doing fairly well living in the suburban Philadelphia town of Willow Grove.  I have lived in South Carolina since 1993 when I accepted a call as associate pastor to Oakbrook Baptist Church in Summerville.   I have lived in the Palmetto State since then except for a brief church call to Dallas Baptist for about 16 months in Dallas, North Carolina which is about 35 miles west of Charlotte. 

I have used the phrase, “An Adopted Son of South Carolina,” to describe myself because it feels like I am one, i.e. A South Carolinian, and my roots run deep down into this 8^th state to be ratified of the original Colonies.  South Carolina is a gem and this is home.  I feel like the good LORD brought me here and I have loved living here.  We lived on the coastal plain in Summerville for almost 5 years and now Columbia (Irmo) since 1999.  That would be a total of 21 years.  That is 6 more years than the 15 I lived in King of Prussia, in suburban Philadelphia.  The first three years were spent in Flushing (Queens), NYC near my paternal grandparents.   My 9 years in Texas and my love for the Lone Star State will have to wait on a follow up blog! 

What makes South Carolina so awesome?   Here would be my top 10.

The People.  They are down home, kind, welcoming, and friendly. 

The Weather.  Six months of spectacular weather happens from March to May and then September to November.  The three months in the summer can be blistering hot.  The winters are mild with an annual snow or ice storm or two.  Overall, it is sun, sun and sun and an occasional thunderstorm.

The Spiritual and Religious Perspective.  This place is full of churches and many of the people are full of deep faith, trust and commitment rooted in a covenant love with God.    It’s not uncommon to be asked, “Where do you go to church?”

The Beach.  The long coast and water of South Carolina are absolutely beautiful--first Charleston and then the Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach to the north and then the Low country and Beaufort to the south.  The water is usually warm and the shrimp and fish are abundant.

College Football.  The USC Gamecocks, Coastal Carolina, and Wofford; my three favorites.

The Military.  South Carolina is home to Fort Jackson (Columbia), Shaw AFB (Sumter), Charleston AFB, Marine Recruit Station Parris Island, and the Marine Corp Air Station Beaufort and others.  This is one proud state, with the colors red, white and blue all over it! 

A deep love for history.   A love for Revolutionary War history and Civil War history.  An ability to honor the rights and liberties of ALL people.  The ability to find common ground and the deeply held values that all people are created equal and have the same rights. 

The Lakes.  Lake Murray is simply big and beautiful, and so are the Santee Cooper Lakes of Marion and Moultrie down near Charleston.  There are other lakes in the state such as Wateree, Monticello, Keowee, Hartwell, Greenwood, Thurmond, and Wylie to name the big ones.  There is water and fishing everywhere.

It’s Location.  It is in the heart of the South.  Not too far from Atlanta when needed and not too far from the Metropolitan northeast corridor when one needs to travel. 

It’s a Great Place to Raise a Family.  This may be the most important.  I believe my family loves SC about as much as me and on top of that my oldest daughter married a young man from Columbia/Irmo and we are so glad she did.    It’s a blessing to live, work and worship in South Carolina and I am blessed to consider myself An Adopted Son of the Palmetto State!