Revisiting an Important Part of my Past

Growing up almost every weekend was spent making the journey "up north" to our family cottage in Bracebridge. Our cottage was on a double lot shared with my maternal grandparents home. Sadly, as my grandfather's health declined, my grandparents decided it was best to move back to the city. Because the lot was unable to be severed, both properties had to be sold. It broke my heart. The biggest reason that we vacationed at Arrowhead park, was so that I would be able to share a part of my history with my children. The only request that The Boy made for vacation this year, was to go see Toy Story 3. I googled to see where it would be playing before we left the city and was delighted to find that it was playing at the same movie theatre that I went to as a child. The Norwood has undergone renovations, but it still feels the same. It is here that I saw E.T, Ernest Goes to Camp, and other movies. I smiled when I saw the billboard - "Welcome Back To Muskoka" it felt like they put it up just for me.

Just outside the movie theatre is a park. Once a year, in the summer heat, the park would host a giant craft fair. I loved that day. Looking at all the booths, and creative talent. I remember one year being allowed to buy a pencil with fun fur and googly eyes glued on it . I wonder how much that sent my mother back? I am sure it cost a small fortune. My sister and I were in love with the gazebo at the park. For me, I thought it was so romantic, the idea of bands playing and people dancing...

I also made Hubby do a drive by of the seniors centre. My Grandparents were very active with this organization. When I would stay with Grandma and Grandpa in the summer or on winter vacation, they would take me to the seniors centre with them. The seniors would make such a fuss over me, and I felt like they all were my extended grandparents.

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to drive by the cottage. I thought it might be too hard for me. But in the end, I couldn't get this close and not go have a look. I was surprised to recognize so many of the family names on the signs on the cottage road being ones that I remembered. As we got closer to our old property, I was nervous and excited. And there it was.

Our cottage

My grandparents home


Even now a week later, its hard for me to articulate my emotions. Am I glad I went back - yes. All I know for sure is that it was just as hard to leave it in 2010 as it was almost 20 years ago. As my husband drove away, my stomach sank, and the kids, even The Little Man was silent. My sweet middle son said, "I like your cottage mom."

"Thanks guys, me too" -fade to black