Afterglow 2016 - Day 8 Saturday

 

 

I always try to be the last person to be in the cabin. I'm not sure why exactly, but it gives me a sense of finality knowing that I closed out the week. But this year Jenny was the last person to inhabit Cabin #2 during our week as she was waiting for Mom and I to get our stuff together and roll out. There's always next year for me to stake my claim, but what does it really matter? We all have to go. Last doesn't matter.

The final picture before we hit the road is one last family picture with anyone who made it to the end of the week in Cabin #2. Of all the people who stay with us, very few of them last the entire week. This is not of their doing, but rather as a result of not having time off in the summer (Mom) or having tons of vacation time (me). So everyone else just needs to play the card their life deals them.

 

Going back home sucks. But endings are a part of life, just like beginnings. If we could stay up here forever, I doubt we would appreciate this week as much as we do. So I said goodbye to Uncle Greg, Aunt Sandy, BK, Pinkman and Stacy as they set forth on the journey home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbyes are hard. But they are a part of life and sadly something most of us have grown more used to in our advancing years. But an Afterglow goodbye is different from the rest because we (at least for now) know that there will be a hello next year. That makes it less sad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But even though endings are a part of life, that doesn't mean that we have to like them or stop from showing emotion when it happens. Today's emotion from Kevin and I was sadness, as we count down the days until we make it back up here and realize just how many days it would be until that happens again. It's okay to be sad and it is okay to cry. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise because it means that you truly loved and cared about something so much that you were distraught when you no longer had it. That's Afterglow.

Another tradition on the last day is the Aunt Kris & Kevin picture. I'm not going to make fun of it by giving it a silly title because unlike Kris, Carol and Rose, I know Kevin actually reads this shit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all know the traditions around here, like Kris, Carol & Rose with their "cool Moms" picture, only this year it featured a blue theme. I'm sure it's not called that, but this is my website, not theirs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving Cabin #2 is not our last stop before we head home. That of course is now Memory Point. For some of those who only get 1 opportunity to come up here per year, this is one last time to see Timmy before next July. That makes this moment very special.

One of the last pictures I take before we leave the vicinity of Cabin #2 is the view from the dock. And as always, the day the we leave Afterglow is the most beautiful day of the entire week. One of God's cruelest jokes. But I can't be mad at her. After all, she gave me 7 days up here this week. And good or bad, they are always the most perfect and beautiful days of my entire year.

 

        

Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even for people like me who have come up here at least 2 times a year for the past 5+ years can appreciate how special this moment is. It always hits you right in the heart and brings a tear to your eye. Of course for us to have a family member buried there elicits that response, but for others it is a place to stop and reflect upon your life and moments that you treasure. I'm not one to tell someone how to live their life. But if you don't take the time to let your memories and emotions get the best of you, then I will say that you are failing to ignore the complex history that had brought you to the present day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trip out to Memory Point is always the last thing we do before declaring that another Afterglow is finished. We take the slow walk back towards the car and then go about our merry (but sad) way. All good things must end. Since this is the greatest thing of all; it was inevitable.