Just got back from two days at my brother's cottage - 2 hours north of P'boro. He and his wife built a new cottage, just across the bay from the family cottage where my sister-in-law and her family have been going for over 50 years. They have done an amazing job of blending with the beautiful rocks and trees that surround them - and also of providing a welcoming place for friends to gather.
As we visited on the dock after arriving yesterday, a friend and her mom 'popped in' by boat to say hello. This friend happened to be the designer that worked with us to build our home in 2002 and so we enjoyed a catch up, relating what our kids are up to and our newest bodily aging challenges. I laughed as they arrived and said this is NOT a visit - just a stop...and then had drinks and chatted for close to 2 hours - it was delightful! As we got ready for dinner, my sister's parents popped in - again so great to see them. They pulled up chairs and sipped wine while we had dinner together ( they had already eaten).
After our boating tour of the lake today, neighbors from two cottages down popped in, and he has been a superintendent in education and started a school in Malaysia that he still works with - such interesting conversations. Finally, a call to friends who were leaving tomorrow for 'good-bye' drinks on the dock at 3, had 11 of us chatting and laughing for another couple of hours.
As I was reflecting on the weekend, I was grateful for the various 'interruptions' - opportunities to meet and/or reconnect with wonderful people. It didn't take anything away from the time we had with family - it enriched it. It made me think of other interruptions - like when you have a plan and then something changes; like when you hear the word 'cancer' and then life becomes a series of interruptions! There are gifts in these shifts, though at the time that may not be so clear. Perhaps the biggest gift is the reminder that we don't order the universe, and life may not unfold always as we want or hope.... and that the opportunities in these places of unexpected change also abound. I aspire to be as gracious as my brother and his wife, welcoming these unanticipated visits and changes so openly.
As we visited on the dock after arriving yesterday, a friend and her mom 'popped in' by boat to say hello. This friend happened to be the designer that worked with us to build our home in 2002 and so we enjoyed a catch up, relating what our kids are up to and our newest bodily aging challenges. I laughed as they arrived and said this is NOT a visit - just a stop...and then had drinks and chatted for close to 2 hours - it was delightful! As we got ready for dinner, my sister's parents popped in - again so great to see them. They pulled up chairs and sipped wine while we had dinner together ( they had already eaten).
After our boating tour of the lake today, neighbors from two cottages down popped in, and he has been a superintendent in education and started a school in Malaysia that he still works with - such interesting conversations. Finally, a call to friends who were leaving tomorrow for 'good-bye' drinks on the dock at 3, had 11 of us chatting and laughing for another couple of hours.
As I was reflecting on the weekend, I was grateful for the various 'interruptions' - opportunities to meet and/or reconnect with wonderful people. It didn't take anything away from the time we had with family - it enriched it. It made me think of other interruptions - like when you have a plan and then something changes; like when you hear the word 'cancer' and then life becomes a series of interruptions! There are gifts in these shifts, though at the time that may not be so clear. Perhaps the biggest gift is the reminder that we don't order the universe, and life may not unfold always as we want or hope.... and that the opportunities in these places of unexpected change also abound. I aspire to be as gracious as my brother and his wife, welcoming these unanticipated visits and changes so openly.