This last month we have been traveling via planes, automobiles, and trucks - minus our home. We left the motor-home in storage in Arizona and hopped on a plane bound for points east. The first stop was my Aunt Sue’s home in Duxbury. As the younger sister to my Dad, we love visiting and hearing the stories of their youth. We had the added joy of getting to also visit with my cousin Gretchen, and her 8-year-old son, Beckett, who were visiting from Australia. While we missed the vibrant Fall colors by a couple of weeks, there was still plenty of beauty to be found.

Our days were spent beachcombing for the perfect shell and we even managed to pick up a brick..or two that will line the path of our home someday. Duxbury has a magic all its own, with historical references on every corner, a beautiful bay to walk along and hunt for treasures and a large expansive beach to enjoy a lingering sunset. My mind drifts often to the memories my Dad would share of spending his summers along its shoreline. Learning to sail and then racing the bay, tending a garden and enjoying the freedom of summer. I long for the stories that my Aunt Sue tells as she reminisces about their childhood - only wishing with all my heart that my Dad could still be with us to hear his laugh as he shares her memories. Pictures of their youth fill one wall in the room where I sleep, and as I gaze at them daily it brings a smile to my face and a joy to my heart.

We took a long, but beautiful drive to Connecticut to visit with our dear friend Jayne. Stationed together in Hawaii back in the late 70’s-to early ’80s, our daughters were born with a few months of each other and the bond is still very strong between us.

This year Aunt Sue didn’t have very many chores for Bob to do. He likes to be able to help - but he did manage to get the deck and stairs stained and ready for the long cold and wet winter days ahead. We had some great meals as usual, and Aunt Sue’s special Lemon Cake was waiting for us when we arrived. It didn’t last long. We are already looking forward to our visit next year.