Top Ten: Martha's Vineyard 2019

When I met Peter, I was 25 years old. At that age, I felt all knowing, but was unwise. I walked with confidence, but was insecure. I was thin, but felt fat. I was smart, but unfocused. I had dated, but without success. Peter changed all of that. He helped me find balance within the contradictory nature of my character, and with it, I felt more willing and able to live life to the fullest - the way he did.

Peter embraced and exemplified his brother's mantra, 'Never have a bad day.' Over the first weeks dating him, I observed his joie de vivre. Give him a boat, he'd take it out on Lake Michigan, jump into the icy waters, and swim for the shore. Give him the Dunes, he'd climb up and roll down, sand splattering across his body. Give him a couple stubborn pistachios, he'd hammer them open. Give him an empty parking lot, he'd walk on his hands through it. Give him a day off, he'd make the most of it. Give him a girl willing to learn, he'd show her how it was done.

After watching, I started following. Never having a bad day rubbed off on me, and I like to think we have lived our life together that way, hopefully passing the philosophy onto our exuberant kids. 

In that spirit, we debated and ultimately agreed that we should celebrate Margaret's birthday in style and keep our planned trip to Martha's Vineyard, despite the somber circumstances that surrounded both events.

After Peggy's funeral, after Margaret's Lake Michigan birthday party, we smuggled our bags and children out of the house into the car at 5:50 AM to catch an 8:00 AM flight to Boston. At Logan, we rented the roomy antithesis to my Mini Cooper, a Minivan, and drove down to the Cape where we caught the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. It's a trip that does require a lot of schlepping, especially with small kids, but the destination is so unique, it's worth it.

We spent four full days there, a couple days short of the original itinerary, but what was needed to inspire optimism and joy. We savored every moment and lived it up. Back at home now, Peter and I keep asking each other about our favorite parts, and I think after a couple evenings reminiscing, we would agree on the following:

Top Ten: Martha's Vineyard

10. The excitement of reaching lunch at the Landfall, followed by the ferry ride to Martha's Vineyard where we looked out and saw Peter passing us in his Skiff.

9. Puzzling in the morning and at night with my Aunt Dee Dee.

8. The Skiff rides through Lake Tashmoo, Menemsha Bay, and Woods Hole, watching Mary, Bobby and even Margaret take the helm, and that one sunset cruise when I ripped my pants getting into the boat.

7. Taking in the views at the top of the Gayhead Cliffs and running around the lawn of the Lighthouse trying to get one decent picture of my kids. Then coming home to hear Peter's stories from cruising up to a house boat in the Vineyard Haven Marina where he bought Japanese squid ink sketches from a 5th generation islander and his Swedish girlfriend.

6. Making the most of a rainy day in Lake Tashmoo, catching several Bluefish and then frying them up for a delicious dinner.

5. An elegant dinner at Bettini in the historic Harborview Hotel, followed by a moonlit walk down to the Edgartown Lighthouse fueled by Kiddie Cocktails.

4. A beautiful long run from Vineyard Haven, through Oak Bluffs, to Edgartown where I jumped off the Jaws Bridge at the end. The bad part about that day was the abrupt ending; Margaret got stung by a silent and seemingly invisible jellyfish that caused baby hysteria. We ran off the beach, stopped at a pharmacy, and a guy that claimed to be an extra in Jaws helped find after bite stuff for her leg plus Motrin, which quickly solved the painful problem and crying.

3. Renting bikes in Edgartown, taking them across the Chappy Ferry, riding the island, dirt roads and all, and ending up at a pristine beach looking over a very angry Atlantic ocean crashing in front of us. Then seeing Aunt Dee Dee haul back to the ferry at an alarmingly fast pace.

2. Our Day in Menemsha including a couple hours relaxing on the rocky beach, Bobby making a friend with a kid named Malone, Katama Bay Oysters and Lobster Rolls at Larsen's, and the kids helping Peter reel in three Stripers.

1. Teaching our kids to never have a bad day. Passing it on, knowing that's how Brian and Peggy would want us to live our lives. In balance. In harmony. Filled with divine energy. 
    Lo.