A few weeks ago, my best friend and I took off for a girl’s weekend down the Cape. Cape Cod for all you non-locals. Specifically, we stayed in Truro. Truro is just south of the northern tip of Cape Cod. It has a population of roughly 2,000 people. In the summer, the population is between 15-20,000 people. Truro is approximately 26 square miles. It is important to note that half of the land area of the town is the National Seashore. More on the seashore later. With it being the last weekend in September, it was reasonably quiet, but we managed to find plenty to do.
Accommodations
The Crow’s Nest Resort consists of spacious suites with full kitchens, air conditioning, fireplaces, jacuzzi tub/shower unit, washer/dryer, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, and much, much more. There are 24-hour maintenance and housekeeping. Though with COVID, there were no housekeeping services.
Each suite is steps from the ocean. It is a perfect place to see a sunset over Cape Cod Bay. All the second-floor suites have a private balcony over-looking Pilgrim Lake and the Atlantic dunes, perfect for experiencing a spectacular early sunrise.
Full Bath #1 
Bedroom2 
Kitchen 
Living room 
Bedroom 1 
Full Bath #2
As you can see, there was plenty of space for the both of us.
On our first full day, we headed down the road to the town of Provincetown, MA. Provincetown is located on the tip of Cape Cod. It is known for its beaches, harbor, charming shops, art galleries, restaurants, and more. It is a big vacation spot for the LGBTQ community, as Provincetown celebrates individuality and freedom of expression. It also has a rich creative history as the oldest continuous art colony in the United States.
Commercial Street is the main road through town. It is lined with restaurants and shops. We had lunch overlooking Provincetown Harbor, browsed the many stores, and listened to street entertainers. It is not uncommon to see drag queens out and about advertising their nightly shows. This weekend we saw next to none, as many of the shows have been canceled due to the virus. However, we did spend some time listening to a gentleman sing along with this phone for about 30 mins. He was quite entertaining.
After a day of dining and shopping, we took a ride out to Race Point Beach. It is part of the National Seashore. It is known for having some of the best sunsets on Cape Cod. Would you agree?
While waiting for the sunset, at least 50 seals swam by, not too far off from the shore. They are so cute, but this being Cape Cod, we know our shark friends are not too far behind.
The next day we slept in and spent the entire day hanging at the resort, eating, drinking, and crafting. I worked on my 2019 scrapbooks, and she worked on her own projects. It has been a long since we had nothing to do but craft. It was so much fun!
On our last day, we decided to take our time going home—our goal, to hit up some of the other beaches on the National Seashore.
The National Seashore was created in 1961 by President Kennedy. It has 43,607 acres of ponds, woods, and beachfront. It has 40 miles of seashore along the Atlantic-facing eastern shore of Cape Cod that includes Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. There is so much to do and see at the National Seashore; the beaches are just a small piece.
From the Head of the Meadow Beach, we stopped off in Wellfleet Harbor. We were looking for a coffee shop and came upon the harbor. It was a beautiful spot.
Nauset Light Beach was our last stop of the day. This beach has special meaning for my family. My aunt’s ashes were scattered here almost 10 years ago. It is also the home to the Three Sister’s Lighthouses. Being one of three sisters, we like to think these were built for us. LOL!
Sister 3 
Sister 2 
Sister 1
The Cape Cod coast is known for dangerous waters primarily due to shifting sandbars. Between the years 1850 and 1980, it is believed that approximately 3500 shipwrecks occurred along the Cape and Islands coastlines. In 1836, Eastham’s people petitioned for lighthouses to be built to assist their loved ones coming back to the Cape. The lighthouses were built and named the Three Sisters because they looked like three ladies in white dresses and black hats from out at sea. These ladies have had quite the journey. You can read about it here.
Nauset Light Beach, like much the National Seashore, has seen significant erosion over the years. I was taken aback at just how much of the dunes have eroded. The average erosion along the seashore is just under 4 feet a year. Nauset Light Beach averages almost 6 feet a year. To put things in perspective, take a look at the photo below.
Incredible, right? It makes me so sad to think this will not be here forever.
We spent about 45 minutes hanging out on the beach. Every so often, a seal would swim by. My friend and I always joked that we never see anything exciting, like a shark. Well, never say never.
Why yes, that little fin is a shark fin. People were yelling for others to get out of water. Crowds were forming to watching the predator. It was quite a sight. I am happy to report that no one got hurt. However, it is important to point out that National Seashore is known for its seals and sharks. There are signs posted everywhere, along with first aid kits.
Don’t let the sharks scare you. Just follow the rules, heed the warnings and you will be fine. The Cape Cod and the National Seashore are worth the risk! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse as to what makes the Cape a perfect girl’s getaway. No matter the season, there is always something to do and see.
Last month, we spent two weeks on Cape Cod for our big summer vacation. As much as we love the beach, there is so much more to do and see on the Cape. My youngest son and I decided to take advantage of the time and explore some things off the beaten path. Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of them.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Massachusetts Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving nature in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It protects 36,500 acres of land throughout the state, saves birds and other wildlife, and makes nature accessible through its wildlife sanctuaries and 20 nature centers. During school vacation and in the summer, the society has camps for kids. The Audubon Society has all sorts of programs, from bird watching, art, and photography, guided tours, and with the onset of the virus, it is providing quite a few virtual programs as well. It is not something we have taken advantage of before, but plan on doing more in the months ahead.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is an easy drive, straight down Route 6 on the Cape. The trails are open Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 am-7:30 pm. There is a fee to park; however, due to the visitor’s center being closed, there was no one to collect the payment. Wellfleet Bay overlooks the beautiful Wellfleet Harbor. There are numerous trails to explore that lead to a salt marsh, a sandy barrier beach, and woodlands. There is also a nature center with exhibits and an aquarium. Unfortunately, the nature center was closed. Though that was okay, we were there to explore the outdoors. With 1,183 acres and 5 miles of trails, there is a lot to explore.
There are six trails to explore. A map of each one can be downloaded to your phone.
- Bay View Trail- this is a woodland trail that provides plenty of shade.
- The Boardwalk- it crosses the salt marsh over to the beach.
- Goose Pond Trail- this trail is excellent for birdwatching.
- Silver Spring Trail- this trail borders a fresh pond.
- Try Island Trail- another woodland trail with views Cape Cod Bay.
- All Persons Pathway and Sensory Trail- includes an audio tour that that can be downloaded.
Since it was our first time and quite hot out, Nicholas and I chose the Bay View Trail. Little did we know it is the longest trail. Perhaps I should have read up on it more before going!
The Bayview Trail winds through the pine woodlands. It took us by a salt marsh, a pond, and then some sandplain grasslands. My son has recently taken up birdwatching. He enjoyed seeing and hearing all the different birds and trying to guess which was which. My favorite views were of the salt marsh. It was beautiful.
We were at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge the day before and while Nicholas enjoyed it, he preferred Wellfleet. We are already planning to come down in the fall and explore more of the trails when it is not so hot and muggy.
What about you? Have you explored anything off the beaten path recently?
Chatham is a seaside town located on Cape Cod, MA. Once you cross over the Cape Cod Canal, it is about a 45-minute drive.
Chatham is one of the more upscale towns on the Cape. It has historically been known as a fishing community. In the summertime, the population soars to 30,000, but in the winter, most homes are empty. Are you looking to buy a second home in Chatham? The average price of a home is 1.3 million dollars.
As I mentioned, Chatham is located on the elbow part of the Cape. The town includes two narrow strips of land, which serve as a barrier between the Atlantic and the mainland. There are several islands, including Monomoy, a 7.25-mile-long island south of the corner of the town, home to the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.
With six major saltwater beaches, Chatham is a great place to come for the day or take a week-long vacation. There are many cottages or houses to rent in the summer. If you want to pamper yourself, the Chatham Bars Inn is a beautiful place to stay. It is known as the Cape’s Premier Resort and Spa. Rooms start at over $1,000 a night in the summer, so be prepared to pay for such luxury. You have your choice of staying in the main inn, a cottage, or a spa suite. There is a beach, pool, cabanas, and plenty of dining. It offers activities such as boating and tennis. Oh, and don’t forget the spa. For more information, click over to their website.
We did not stay at the inn or even in Chatham. My family and I rented a couple of houses in nearby Dennis Port. However, we took a few day trips to explore.
Seal Watching
Our vacation started with a boat ride to see Chatham’s most famous residents, seals! I recommend Monomoy Island Excursions out of Harwich Port, MA. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, and it takes you through Wychmere Harbor in Harwich Port, down to Stage Harbor in Chatham and through narrow channels. The final destination is Monomoy Island, a barrier island off the coast of Chatham. Here we found the seals swimming and sunning themselves. A naturalist narrates each tour. This was our second time going on a seal watch, and we were not disappointed.
As we approached Chatham, we learned the history of the area.
Stage Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1880 and one of the youngest lighthouses on the Cape. It was built at the entrance of Stage Harbor to assist the Chatham Lighthouse light the way for sailors as this area is known for being one of the foggiest on the east coast. Fifty-three years later, the lighthouse was decommissioned and is now a private home. Though I don’t think I would want to stay in it any time soon. To this day, it has no running water or electricity. One must use an outhouse if nature calls.
As can see, if you are lucky enough to have a boat, you can head out to the sandbars and spend your beach day there. However, please do not swim with the seals. They may look cute and cuddly, but they are not. Plus, you never know what is lurking behind them. The Cape has seen an increase in shark activity in recent years due to our large seal population. If you happen to be swimming with the seals, the seals will use you as a human shield and push you toward the sharks!
Chatham’s Fishing Pier
Not in the mood for a boat ride? Head down to the fishing pier and see what the catch of the day was (literally) and check out all the seals there.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
My youngest son has taken up birdwatching. We have a couple of bird feeders in our yard that attract all sorts of birds. He was excited to see what we may find down the Cape.
The Monomoy Wildlife Refuge was established in 1944 to provide habitat for migratory birds. The Refuge Headquarters is located on a 40-acre unit on Morris Island and consists of a visitor center, beach, and trail system. It was sweltering and humid on the day we went, but we managed to walk one of the trails. The visitor’s center was closed due to the virus, but we downloaded a map from the website and set off. Next time we plan on staying longer and walking out to the Monomoy Lighthouse.
It is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
Chatham Lighthouse
The Chatham Lighthouse is an American icon. Pre-COVID the lighthouse was open a few hours each week in the summer for visitors. Unfortunately, I was only able to grab a photo. It is one of 16 lighthouses remaining on the Cape. Cape Cod shore is rugged and has not made it easy for ships to come in. It is has been said that over 3500 vessels have been wrecked along the Cape’s coast. The lighthouse has a fascinating history, and I encourage you to read more here. Oh, and a fun fact, it is now home to the US Coast Guard.
In addition to what we did, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to visit in Chatham. Whether you are here for a day or a week, you will find something for everyone.
Renting a vacation home is, by far, one of my favorite things to do. I am an hour away from the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod and have stayed there many times. This summer, we were skipping the vacation home and headed north to the Canadian Rockies. Then COVID hit, and all our summer plans were canceled. We have all been home since March, and a much-needed change of scenery is in order. We rented a beach house in July for two weeks, and I can’t wait!
Over the last few years, I have learned a thing or two about what to look for in a beach house.
Here are seven things to look for when renting a beach house.
- Rent from a reputable source. The company should offer protection policies and guarantees. It should have updated photos on its site.
- Location, Location, Location. We prefer to be right on the ocean. If that was not feasible, we like to be at least within walking distance. Our rental this year is 1/10th of a mile from the beach, so not too bad. Another tip about location, stay close to town. It allows for easy access to restaurants, the grocery store, ice cream shops, and more. We can drive or choose to walk to these places.
- Prioritize your amenities. Do you plan on doing laundry while on vacation? If so, make sure the house has a washer and dryer. Do you plan on eating meals in or out? A fully stocked kitchen is vital, along with a nice grill for BBQing if you plan on eating at home. Does the house come with linens, beach toys, and beach chairs? If you are driving to your destination, it may not be a big deal to bring these items, but if you are flying, you want to make sure the house has these items. Does it have air conditioning? Some homes on the Cape do not have air conditioning. No air conditioning is a deal-breaker for me!
- Two words, NO CARPETS! It makes such a difference when the kids come traipsing through with wet, sandy feet. We prefer hardwood and tile floors in our rentals.
- Delegate the space ahead of time. This is particularly important when traveling with another family. A house may sleep 10, but 4 of those beds may be in one room. This may not work if you have a mix of older and younger kids or males and females. If the house has more than one bathroom (which I highly recommend by the way), assign each family their own bathroom.
- Outdoor shower. Keep as much sand out of the house!
- A shaded area outside to eat, sit, and relax. The sun can be brutal, so always nice to have a shady, cool spot waiting for you.
I hope these tips have given you some ideas of what to think of when renting your next beach house. If you have any of your own ideas, you would like to share, and please do. I would love to add them to my list. Happy vacationing!
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the different colors across the trees, the smell of apples, and pumpkin spice. I mean, what is there not to like? Growing up in New England, I have been blessed with some beautiful Falls. New England has a LOT to offer this time of year, and I would like to share some of these with you.
Apple Picking
One of our family traditions is apple picking. With over 80 pick your own orchards in Massachusetts, each a bit different, it is hard to decide where to go. We have a family favorite, Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stowe, MA.
We like Honey Pot for several reasons. First, the orchard has several varieties of apples. The orchard is quite large, and we never feel it is too crowded. Second, it is one of the few places that have ladders to climb the trees. I love that! For some reason, it makes a bit more fun and authentic. Third, APPLE CIDER DONUTS! Hello?!? These donuts melt in your mouth. Now I know many places sell them, but nothing compares to the ones we get at Honey Pot Hill Orchards. The orchard has farm animals, hayrides, three different mazes, pumpkins, a great farm store, and some food stands. New this year, a Cider Garden. They will be a Hard Cider Tent set up on the weekends. We are looking forward to trying that out.
cider donuts -photo courtesy of Honey Pot 
cute little pig – courtesy of Honey Pot
Go Leaf Peeping
The foliage in New England is GORGEOUS! Whether you want to make this a day trip or a weekend-long event, there is plenty of foliage to see among the New England states. Check out the best foliage drives here.
Pumpkin Festival
Did you know that Laconia, NH, has one of the best pumpkin festivals in the country? Neither did I until I started researching for this piece. Each year, New Hampshire residents attempt to amass the largest number of lit jack o lanterns in one place, trying to meet or beat the world record, which the festival held for many years. The festival held mid-October attracts approximately 40,000-50,000 people each year. This year it will be held October 18th and 19th. There will be amusement park rides, a beer garden, music on the streets, a zombie walk, pumpkin displays, yummy food, which of course includes pumpkin everything and a five and a 10k on the morning of the 19th. Also, there are children’s games like pedal tractor pulls, corn hole, and more. There is fun for the whole family. We will be in Maine that weekend visiting colleges, so I am sad we are unable to attend. However, I will be sure to add it to my list for the following year.
The North American Wife Carrying Championship
Yes, folks, you heard it right. Such a thing exists! Sunday River in Maine is the second largest ski resort in New England. It is also home to The North American Wife Carrying Championship. This annual event is held over Columbus Day Weekend. Ironically, it does not have to be your wife that gets carried across a 278-yard obstacle course. It can be any woman of your choosing. The woman is thrown over the man’s shoulder. She is hauled across the course with her legs wrapped around a man’s neck and her arms around his waist. The obstacle course is made up of mud, logs, dirt, deep grass, and water, where her head is bound to get wet. A Finnish couple has won the event since 2013. This event coincides with the ski resort’s annual festival with chairlifts rides, live bands, food & beer tents and craft fairs.
4th Annual Harvest Festival at the Newport Vineyards
Newport is a seaside town in Rhode Island known for its historic mansions and sailing history. It hosted America’s Cup for many years. Next to Newport is the town of Middleton, home to Newport Vineyards. In addition to being a winery, Newport Vineyard has a brewery that offers fresh craft beer and a farm to table focused menu. There are events such as
This two-day event is Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th from noon -5:00 pm. It is two days of grape stomping (yes you read that right), sipping delicious wine or beer and eating delectable food. Or perhaps you are a pie lover? There is a pie-eating contest too! The cost of the event is $25.00 per person and includes up to 7 samplings of wine or beer. Children under 15 are free.
Viewing Foliage from High Above the Trees
For the adventurous leaf peepers, Connecticut offers a unique way to see the beauty that a New England Fall has to offer. Tree climbing, ziplining, and adrenaline-pumping rock climbing is some of the ways to take in vibrant hues of the season. Empower Leadership
Hiking with the Family
Not to be missed is the beautiful state of Vermont. Vermont is known for its yummy maple syrup and over 100 19th century covered bridges. It is also a great place to take a hike and see the beauty of The Green Mountain State. We are not that family that can hike for hours. Yes, I can run a marathon, but hiking up mountains for hours is not in the cards. However, we do love the outdoors and seeing the beauty around us. Here are 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes for your family to enjoy.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a hot vacation spot in the summer, but did you know that the Fall is one of the best times to visit this New England gem. The crowds are low, but a fair amount of restaurants are still open. House rentals are often half the price, and the beaches are there for all to enjoy. My sister and her husband head down the last week of September each year. Last September we tagged along for a weekend. We enjoyed hanging at the house, walking to the beach and a tour to see the seals that gather each year in Chatham, MA. I highly recommend the Monomoy Island Excursion. It is quite the site to see.
Salem, Massachusetts
The best place to be around Halloween, is Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is North of Boston and is famous for its witch trials in the 1600s. There are over 500 different events during October to
- Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour Salem Witch Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Halloween Cruises
- Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours
- The People vs Bridget Bishop
- Gallows Hill
- Salem Witch Museum
- Salem Wax Museum
Oh, and before you leave, make sure to stop by Enchanted. It is a magical shop for “witches & muggles” It is home to Laurie Cabot, Salem’s official witch. You can read about Laurie here.
Last, but certainly not least, Sitting by the Fire
Probably one of my absolute favorite things to do in the Fall, sitting out on the patio, cuddled up by the fire enjoying the cool, but pleasant weather. As New Englanders, we need to enjoy this season much as we can because we all know what comes after Fall.
Whoa is it just me or did this summer go by in a blink of an eye? I can’t believe Labor Day weekend has come and gone. Crazy! Thankfully, Fall is my favorite time of year, and we have a lot to look forward to over the next 3-4 months. However, before we bid farewell to summer, I thought I would recap our adventures.
The summer started with a Memorial Day weekend trip out to Chicago with my sisters. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, staying long enough to attend a baby shower, spend some time with family and to experience the Chocolate Pinata from Uncle Julio’s.
Chocolate Pinata 
Kristen & Dick Tracy
Back at home, more celebrating as our nephew Josh graduated high school and Robbie and I went on some college visits. Oh, and Nicholas and I started our ice cream tour. 🙂
Josh’s graduation 
Robbie @Nichols College 
Ice cream time!
The summer continued with me heading down to Orlando for a work conference. I stayed at Universal Studios for the first time, and though the weather was terrible, I was able to try some local treats.
The Chocolate Emporium 
Hello?? Chocolate & Peanut Butter 
Chocolate martini anyone?
And I wonder why I gained a few pounds this summer?
At the end of the month, our travels took us to West Dennis Beach and Provincetown, MA. P-town is located at the tip of the Cape. My sister had a family wedding and needed someone to her little guy. My other sister and I, along with my kids, got and kept JJ overnight. We took in some of the local sites as well.
West Dennise Beach 
Cousins-minus one 
Always fun with Auntie Jen 
“Living” Statute
June came to a close and the 4th of July was upon us. Every July 3rd, we head over to Gilette Stadium,
My bib. 
It is all about the bling. 
Baby you’re a firework!
I feel blessed to live in such a great area of the country. Yes, it gets warm and can be stifling, but it rarely lasts more than a few days. The weather is great for hanging at the beach or exploring our cute seaside towns. We can watch movies outside while enjoying some yummy meals.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts 
Lobster Salad 
Halloween in July! 
Lobster Mac & Cheese 
Raspberry Lime Rickey 
Marblehead Harbor 
Rock sandwich anyone? 
Deveraux Beach 
Do it for Johnny 
Dinner and a show
Ahhh, Topsail Island, you own a piece of my heart. Five years ago we started spending part of our summer on this little piece of paradise. After taking a couple of years off to sail to Alaska and the Mediterranean, we went back. This time it was Nicholas and I, along with a friend and her family. Bill and Robbie chose not to come due to work obligations. The vacation started a bit rough as I had some sciatic nerve pain and numbness in my foot. The 16-hour drive was brutal. We stopped in VA overnight, but that was not enough time to recoup. The remaining 5 hours was horrible. Each morning I could not sit until I had taken 4 Motrin and 2 Aleve. Even then, I could not sit for long periods. However, I made the most of it and enjoyed our time on the island. We spent plenty of time on the beach, went to a craft show, ate out, explored the island, and found fresh farm goods, explored Bellamy Mansion, and did an Escape Room.
Our backyard 
Surf City Pier 
Nicholas met a friend. 
SHARK!! 
God Bless America 
Fresh jam and maple syrup 
Slave quarters at the Bellamy House 
Escape room 
Our home for the week.
The drive home was a tad better. I made sure to stop and stretch every two hours. Nicholas and I treated ourselves to a stay at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. I was a bit sore, but we did take some time to eat and snap a few photos.
Virginia is for lovers. 
Girl Power! 
A Marine like his Grandfather.
Back home, Robbie was busy at his new job and spending lots of time with his grandfather. I missed having my boy with me, but I understand that he has obligations, and I am proud of him.
We had a couple of weekends home before our next adventure, so we stayed closed at home. I worked on my 2018 vacation scrapbook. I am happy to report I finished that. I read a couple of books, and we went blueberry picking. Nicholas attended camp at a local college. For three weeks he took Fishing, Forensics, Chemistry, and Wildnerness Exploration. He has participated in this camp for three years in a row and looks forward to it each year.
Bill and Nicholas picking blueberries 
Yummy blueberries 
Forensics 
Gone Fishing
No sooner did he finish camp up at home, we were on a flight to Huntsville, AL where Nicholas was to attend a week at Space Camp at the U.S. Rocket and Space Center. I will be doing a separate post on this, with help from Nicholas, so be on the lookout for that. Nicholas stayed onsite at the camp, while I worked out of a hotel for a week. I spent some time walking the grounds of the Space and Rocket Center each morning and afternoon. I also checked out the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Challenger Monument 
Where the campers stay. 
Having fun! 
Botanical Garden
Phew.. after a whirlwind trip back home, we had a half a day to recoup and then it was all about celebrating this cutie. Our nephew John Joseph, IV (JJ) turned one year old!
Finally, we ended our summer at the most magical place on Earth, Disney World. Be on the lookout for more on this trip, but it was an adventure. It involved a hurricane, a journey to a Galaxy Far, Far Away, club level at the Beach Club, walking onto rides with little to no waits, a Halloween party and more. What a way to end the summer!
Jessie & Woody 
Haunted Mansion 
The famous Blue Milk! 
Mickey blowing kisses 
My boy 
Kylo Ren’s ship 
Magic Shot
No wonder the summer went by in a blink, we were go, go go Were there things on our bucket list that we did not get to do? Yep! Fortunately, these are things that can be carried over to the Fall. Speaking of Fall, I am working on a post about the top 10 things to do in the Fall in New England. I will also be sharing my bucket list for the remainder of the year.
Until then,
Heather
For those of you following along, I have been sharing stories of my Mom all month long. It is my way of coping with what was to come… the 5th year anniversary of her death. Today, we gathered as a family, celebrated and remembered her. We usually get together for lunch or dinner, but this year we decided to take a ride to one of her favorite places, the beach!
My Dad, sisters, nephew, my boys and I took a ride down to the West Dennis, MA. As a kid, we use to rent a house there in the summer time. My Dad and sisters still make it part of their summer vacations. Like Mom, we all love the beach. There is something about the ocean that instantly makes us feel better. It is good for the soul. As my boys ran around with a football, I snapped some photos of my nephew and then had a bit of quiet time to reflect. There is so much that has happened over the last 5 years. There have been many milestones. There have been happy times and sad times, all of which have happened without her by our side. One thing is for certain, we as a family have become closer.
These are my people. These are the people that I love fiercely. These are the people, even when we don’t agree or see eye to eye, have my back. If any good came of her death, it was the bond that I have with my family.
Losing a parent is downright awful. Losing a parent in a matter of weeks after learning of a diagnosis was unbearable. I never knew such pain and unless one has gone through it, there is no way one can understand. I am just glad to have made it through another year.
