Take 5 with Kathy - "A week at the cottage..."

For the past 24 years now, we have spent some summer vacation time at my parent’s cottage in Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is the most beautiful spot on the south shore overlooking the Northumberland Strait. When dad was considering retirement, he and mom decided they would like to build a cottage in PEI, where they had lived since 1966, and spend the summers there (eventually they moved to Halifax to be near my sister and I and our families). Their grandchildren have many wonderful memories of visiting Grammie and Grampy at the cottage, sleeping in the “loft”, swimming at the beach just steps down the road, building dams in the little stream that trickled towards the ocean, strolling along the beach collecting seashells and sea glass, roasting marshmallows over the outdoor fireplace and making s’mores, flying kites and blasting off self-made rockets (some which were never seen again!), tapping away on mom’s old Underwood typewriter (a real novelty in the computer age), washing off their sandy feet under the outdoor shower, gazing at the millions of stars which filled the night skies and watching the occasional satellite drift through space, watching for the first glimpse of the Point Prim Lighthouse across the ocean as evening turned into darkness, playing table games, and just having a whole lot of fun! They have also enjoyed watching their “trees” grow much taller than themselves; Dad planted a maple tree for each grandchild.

The proverbial question that is asked within the first hour of arriving has always been, “Is the tide going in or out?” Dad patiently goes through the same old explanation every time so that we can plan our walks, swimming, and other water activities accordingly. It was no different July 9 when I, my daughter-in-law, and four relatives from Quebec arrived for the balance of the week. What a great time we all had although we missed my husband, who is in Hong Kong for a few weeks, and my son, who is in the midst of a summer academic term at university. The weather was absolutely perfect, except the last day was pretty hot/humid, and we just enjoyed each other’s company and reminiscing about past vacations at the cottage.

A small portion of my sea glass collection

My favorite activity, as I wrote about last year this time, is walking along the beach searching for sea glass and I was not disappointed. I came back with both pockets full to add to my collection. Another thing I’m always amused and fascinated by are the little hermit crabs. I love picking them up and letting them crawl across my hand – it really tickles! If you’ve never seen these little creatures, it’s probably because they are hiding inside a shell. Usually you see them at low tide as they scamper sideways along the seabed in the shallow water. However, the shells are not their own! Hermit crabs search for an empty shell, often “periwinkles” as we call them, and claim it for their own home. When they outgrow that shell, they simply look for a bigger one and may even evict another hermit crab and steal its abode! They are pretty funny to watch.

hermit crab on the cottage beach, PEI

The best thing about the cottage is the opportunity to just kick back, throw off your shoes, and relax! We plunk down in the old couch and simply stare at the ocean through the big picture windows. It’s mesmerizing and you feel instantly like letting the world float by without a care. And that old couch – several times mom and dad have suggested getting rid of it and we all say, “But you can’t do that! It’s so comfortable!” So comfortable, in fact, that once you’ve sunk down into it, it’s really hard to get out. Many a great book have been read on that couch, numerous naps have been had, and it’s even been a bed at night on several occasions.

Rest was important in Jesus’ eyes and He knows we need those times to go to a solitary place and relax from the busyness of our everyday lives. One time He told His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) In Matthew 11: 28-30 He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I’m very thankful for the times of rest I’ve had so far this summer. I hope you are enjoying some too!

Until next Sunday,

Kathy

Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia

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