planes, trains & automobiles (and ferries, subways, buses...well, you get the picture): Rain can't dampen our spirits

August 2, 2014

I’m glad we went to the beach yesterday because we had a rainy day in Nantucket today – not a downpour but just constant drizzle throughout the middle of the day. We took our time getting ready, and then headed into town to take a tour of the hospital where Peter works, and then we went to the nursing home on the island to visit Peter’s mother, Becky’s Aunt Fran. She is in her mid-80’s and has some dementia, but she seemed to remember Becky who she last saw 28 years ago. When she found out I was Becky’s husband, her response to me was, “Good luck!” That brought a good round of laughter from all present. Her son Peter also told her that Alex was a wrestler, and that seemed to make quite an impression as well. She asked Alex multiple times, “So you’re a wrestler?”

After the visit with Aunt Fran, we went to The Whaling Museum. There were a lot of great displays and a video about the history of Nantucket, but of course, the most impressive artifact is the full skeleton of an enormous sperm whale suspended from the ceiling. It was a good place to visit on a rainy day. We also had lunch in town and did a little bit of shopping as well. By that point, the rain had mostly stopped, and we were able to walk up and show the kids the McKay house where Grandma Kit lived as child.

Tonight we all went over to David and Ann’s house for dinner. The kids played ping pong and watched a movie with their son Luke, and we were able to visit for quite a while. Their daughter Claire had to work, but she made an ice cream cake for us at the shop where she works. They all seem so happy that we are here to visit, and we are having a great time too. Becky and Dee are just thrilled to have the opportunity to see family again after so many years.