Every summer our guest room (“The Penthouse”) has an
overflow of guests. We love this time of
year. And are excited for each one that
calls to reserve a time. In April I go
up to check on what needs to be done to freshen the room.
Usually it’s pretty
simple.
This year I headed up the stairs with new linens for the bed
and by the time the first guests arrived I had repainted the wicker chairs, an ottoman
-
a table and a bench,
put up curtains,
new white towels and
wash clothes,
a couple of rugs and
pillows.
Went into the attic -
(may I remind you, the
last time I went in I was followed out by a band of bees singing “I Wanna Sting
Ya”.),
to find a net swing purchased some 20 years ago and had
never been used. Thought it would make a great towel holder.
As I sit here writing, our first group of 4 left just a few
days ago. And in a few more days
new guests arrive. I love all the fluffing and preparing to
make our guests feel welcome and comfortable,
making a list and then
checking it twice to ensure nothing's
forgotten.
Ten years ago our 9 year old niece from Minnesota
Last week we went back to the same spot and updated the
picture. She is now 19 and just
completed her first year of college.
I know. . .
She’s taller than
me.
When she was here 10 years ago on a rainy day she wanted to
do a creative project. Something with
paint. I went out to the garage and
found a small white chair that had sat in my mothers’ kitchen when I was
growing up. Along with that chair I brought
in a white utility ladder. And the creativity began.
After most of the family left for home last Monday we headed
to Seaside
(who stayed on for an extra 5 days) for days of beach
strolling, making sand art, walking barefoot on the beach trying not to step on
the jelly fish that the waves had randomly placed all over the sand.
And eating gelato at the local gelateria made fresh daily by
the owners. Just in case you’re
wondering?? Marionberry with chocolate
shavings is my new fave. Wasn’t even
tempted to order the chocolate. Even
after sampling it. I know. . . With the name “Chocolate Girl” Marionberry should not
have even been an option.
Car naps -
and treasured
conversations tucked in amongst all the busyness.
Conversations sharing stories, dreams, with lots of giggling
mixed in between. It’s in these quiet
conversations that we get a glimpse into parts of each other we hadn’t seen
before.
and then followed by the hardest part of these visits -
saying goodbye. . .
one hug. . .
then two. . .
then -
one more.
