It's good to be able to return to a space that doesn't change. Our cottage is that for us. My brother was able to come with his family this summer, and he hadn't been there in almost 17 years. He remarked immediately how amazing it was that it felt the same. That's been by design--we've changed very little since my grandma died, and the place still feels like her. She would lament that we've let the garden go, but someday we'll be there long enough to plant begonias by the front porch again, and weed some of the plants along the stairs on the hill.
It's also good that at the cottage the internet is spotty at best. There is just enough of a signal from the neighbor's house that he said we could use that usually every other day I can upload email while I'm there and at least make sure everything is okay back home. Otherwise being unplugged is a good thing for everyone.
My dad has been gone for two years now. It doesn't really get easier. I just don't burst into tears about it as often. But damn I miss my dad.
My grandmother would have been 99 this year. I miss her too. There is so much I wish I could talk to her about. It would have been so nice for my kids to have really known her.
Grandpa, too. I remember when he died he seemed really old. But now 70 doesn't seem that old.
