Saying goodbye is hard for everyone, but is particularly hard for Jett, who has a large, close-knit family. She originally had 7 siblings. Three sisters are gone now, but two sisters and two brothers remain. The older brother, George, lives in Rockport, MA, which Jett regards as her “home town,” despite the fact that she only spent summers there. But it is a beautiful spot and one which is hard to leave. George, always a homebody, is barely mobile now and you would have to strap him to the back of the commuter train to get him “over the bridge” and out of town.
Which is why he is the only one of Jett’s four living siblings who didn’t make it to the party hosted yesterday by younger brother Ray at his bucolic cottage in New Salem, MA. The occasion was a combination 60th birthday party for Ray (who isn’t actually 60 until next month but wanted us to share in his cake) and a farewell-until-we-meet-again party for us. Also in attendance were Jett’s sisters Sybil and Christine, Christine’s husband John and Raymond’s lovely wife Kim. We brought our dogs, who are always welcome at Ray’s cottage, and they took advantage of their rare off-the-leash opportunity to race around his expansive yard with youthful exuberance. The cottage is so far off the beaten path that we had no worries about them running into the street; the only danger was a risk of an unexpected encounter with a moose or porcupine, or perhaps being swooped up by an eagle. But nothing bad happened and they ended the evening tired but very, very happy.
Meanwhile the humans were chit-chatting away, snacking on a variety of hors d’oeuvres, sipping wine and trying very hard to balance the happiness of the birthday event with the sadness of the farewell event. Some poignant toasts were made at dinner and some heartfelt gifts were distributed afterward. The goodbyes were teary – especially with Christine who was leaving in the morning to visit her son in Texas. But the farewells with the others will occur today, after we meet for brunch.
Then, I expect, Jett will have a good bawl in private.
None of my family, which is not so close-knit, made it to this event. However, I will see my son Tony, his significant other Krystle and their lovely daughter (and my granddaughter) Liliani today. There could be a few tears there, too.
Jett, Sybil, Kim and Christine
John, Ray and Sparky
Christine and Jett
The expansive yard
The siblings, Ray, Sybil and Jett
Backyard driftwood art