I got an email the other day from a contact that used to send me items regularly. This one came as a little bit of a surprise, as I have not heard from her in months. The subject line read Eat Here With Us This Weekend. It looked like a standard solicitation type email, hoping for another guest to leave their money for a tastefully overpriced meal. The view of the sound helped command the prices. The email contained a coupon to be printed by all regular guests, which I went ahead and printed without reading through it.
Any coupons you have to print say the same kind of thing, and are usually good for a free "something" or for a discounted "something". So, I printed and stashed it in my overnight bag.
Transportation would not wait for me. I hurried out the door to get on my way. The ride across the sound was restful. Waves against the hull made a thumping sound before they splashed away. I watched for several minutes at the frequency of the waves being smoothed in the patches of sea foam. Even though there was nobody there to greet me when I got to the other side, I felt comforted by memories. I had been there many times before and in less than an hour I would be seeing old friends. The next 25 miles would offer a peaceful reprieve and a chance to reflect without the distraction of other passengers. This was my first journey in months and anticipations were high.
As my car pulled in the gravel driveway I was greeted by the hosts. In no time, my bags were scooped from the trunk and a verbal invitation to join others on the back porch was extended. I followed the path around the building. Sounds emanating from the back yard were enjoyable. They were the noise of a wonderful childhood, laced with a less familiar addition of salt air. Before rounding the second corner, I stood in private, eyes closed, listening and appreciating the new combination as it would become my new memory.
Many voices greeted me on first sight. All those new faces would not remain strangers for long. Conversations began over so many small details and acknowledgements that by the end of my first hour on the porch, I felt that I knew them for years. Everyone was at ease in the company of one another. Beverages were served by the hosts while offers for snacks guided us to a long banquet table. Details were all tended to, from flowers matching the linens to glasses coordinating with the garnish on the platters of food. It was all tied together so tastefully.
Varied events continued to bring guests together in a casual sort of way. Drinking and eating and talking and playing games filled the afternoon until the sun went down over the calming waters. For what seemed like hours, the sky was illuminated with a gorgeous golden glow. When it finally dipped below the horizon, we retreated to our rooms.
I kept my blinds open in anticipation of the next day's sunrise. The street light below was no bother through the otherwise black night.