Reflections from Nantucket

It’s early Friday morning, my last day in Nantucket. It is the 12^th year out of the last 13 that I have spent the first week of August here. It is an unusual place in many respects - the eastern most island in New England. You might say it is one vacation spot where the place defines the tourists, not vice versa. It is quaint, an island approximately 3 miles wide and 20+ miles long. There are no chain restaurants or hotels, everything seems locally owned. No high rise buildings along the beaches, just natural sand and dunes with tall grass blowing in the ever present breezes.  While most of the country sizzles in August heat, temperatures here stay in the 60’s and 70’s. It’s not uncommon to see jackets and bikinis on the beach at the same time. Nantucket seems more European than American – no sales tax added to purchases, secular and liberal charm (the tallest structure remains the steeple on the Unitarian Church), hard to find a big glass of iced tea, often languages heard on the street are French, German, Spanish, and many of the people doing service jobs are foreign (many young people from Ireland).

There are lots of children and teens, but no commercial outlets for them such as game rooms, theme parks, etc. They seem civil and human most of the time as they just hang out with each other and their families. Very little changes here from year to year. Murray’s liquor store on Main Street is always busy. There is always a live drama production being offered at Centre Stage, located in the basement of The Methodist Church on Centre St. The English garden at the Manor House is always inviting to guests and the hydrangea throughout the island are stunning.  The ferries come and go regularly bringing new faces and taking those back who are reluctant to leave. The lines at the Juice Box (fantastic ice cream) are always out the door. But, some things do change. 21 Federal changed its name. It is an iconic landmark fine dining restaurant often cited in novels set on Nantucket.

The pace is slow and planned activities are limited offering plenty of time for reflection, my favorite activity on Nantucket. It’s helpful to read, reflect, and remember. Remember the people who were special in my life in times past. Letting the fond memories float to the surface and warm my heart. I saw Midnight In Paris last night. While a bit bizarre, the movie’s point is that we all like to think of times past as The Golden Years. But if truth were known, for the people who lived in those times, it was simply their life and they looked to the past for their “golden years”. So reflection can and should also focus on the now, for today is the only day we really have. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow.  Today encompasses both our dreams and our “golden days gone by”.

Today is a lovely day. It’s early in the morning. Hardly anyone is stirring but me. What will the day afford me? Opportunities unknown – we’ll see!!!!!!