The Cottage

Most people who know me, know this place.  They've been here, they've slept here, they've had green popsicles on the porch and years later, ice cold beer. They've played the out-of-tune piano in the house and they've been stuck on the pontoon when it broke down. They've braved bad storms and soaked up the sun on a perfect Michigan summer day.

This place has seen many changes over the years. The long dock that I jumped off when I was little is gone and so is the screened-in porch. But my kids still search for shells in the same spot that I did.  They still feed the fish just like I did. They still squeal with excitement when we drive by the lake on the way there.

My kids still think the broken and battered cottage toys are the best toys on the face of the Earth, just like I did.

They still love bringing their friends here, just like I did.

They love waking up here in the morning, just like I did.

Now I have a different kind of fun.  Just like the adults did when I was little.

We hit life's pause button here and leave the distractions behind.

This place never really belonged to me, and it probably never will. But it will always be a part of me.  

So here's to many more summer days, reconnecting with old friends and getting to know new ones. Here's to more swimming, running, digging, jumping, boating, eating, drinking, sleeping.  Here's to more cottage days.  Here's to life.