After the passing of my dear Grandmother last February, came the change of seasons and another difficult loss for my family when my Grandfather soon joined her in heaven the following June. Two individuals I truly admire and daily remember with hopes of following their loving example of what it means to share a home, family and a lasting marriage of 63 years.
With Spring nearly behind us, my husband and I had been celebrating the season in Saugatuck, Michigan. Saugatuck is a small lakeshore community on Lake Michigan's Eastern Shore. My husband, Steve and I explored Oval Beach and enjoyed a picnic admiring the harbor, boats and dockside shops. We strolled throughout the friendly downtown filled with art galleries, wineries, restaurants and many other creative shops. The community has so much to offer, including Douglas, Michigan which is a neighboring small harbor village. The downtown is considerably smaller but offers great restaurants, the cutest bookstore, antique shops and more. While I have not been, my mom absolutely loves a restaurant in Douglas called Everyday People. So if you're in Saugatuck, Douglas is just a few minutes down the road so it's worth the adventure of exploring!
I have many special memories of day trips to Saugatuck, including much loved summer beach days with my mom and sister to Oval Beach. I even planned a late summer Bachelorette party there for a best friend involving a mini road trip for food on an outdoor patio and wine tasting! I wonder, maybe we can enjoy a fall beach visit with an early sunset in Saugatuck even now as it's getting colder? Or maybe it's just wishful thinking... but I love taking advantage of different opportunities, taking risks and making memories in new places with the lovely people in your life!
As I learn daily about life, I feel I learned so much from my grandparents example and unique legacy. While it's bittersweet, I'm thankful for my memory in Saugatuck when I recieved the phone call from my mom that my grandfather had gone to heaven. I find comfort in knowing he has gone to enjoy his heavenly reward and is with my Grandmother there. Before receiving the phone call, Steve and I had stumbled into a little shop in Saugatuck filled with a variety of beautiful handmade paintings from talented artists. With my memory of the difficult phone call and my tears streaming onto the sidewalk, I also remember Steve leaving the storefront giving me a painting I had loved. Painted was a little boy and girl playing with their bucket and shovel in the sand on gorgeous lakeshore. Now, I look at if often as it hangs on my wall and I am reminded of my grandfather who I dearly miss. Life is all about deeply loving those around you and enjoying their company while we are blessed with them.
Along with my love for Michigan, it is the people who you share these special places with that make memories long lasting. I love when places in life remind you of people held dear to your heart and the times you may have shared with them there. And while I wasn't really with my Grandpa in Saugatuck, I know he was in heaven and therefore, with me.
