Mark and I left Madison on June 1st to drive to my sister Meg's Memorial Celebration in Woodstock, Vermont. I set up my blog posts before we left and stayed off digital media while we were away. That's why I haven't replied to your comments or visited your blogs.
The memorial event was held at this beautiful woodsy sculpture garden that was a favorite of my sister's. A large crowd gathered on a beautiful afternoon under a big tent. Friends and family, including her daughter, spoke. There was a bagpiper! Then we adjourned to a beautiful buffet and looked at photos, memorabilia and shared stories for the next couple of hours. I really had not been looking forward to this day, but it turned out to be the perfect way and the perfect place to remember Meg.
The day after the event, family members went off on their own, meeting up by accident and intention all over Woodstock. It's a town that is so lovely it feels like you are walking around a movie set with historic houses, a covered bridge and Paul Revere church bells. I bought a bagful of books at The Yankee Bookshop ("Eat. Sleep. Read.") and a big blue and white china cup and plate at a dreamy antique store.
But the most memorable moment of the day happened when we walked over to look at the town's library where my sister worked as their techie. This sign was on the door. I spoke to the librarians the day before at the event but had no idea they had closed the library on a Saturday afternoon to attend.
Mark and I decided not to push ourselves and spent three days driving from Wisconsin to Vermont. On the way home, we spent time with one of my other sisters near Chautauqua Lake. We made an overnight stop in Cleveland in order to spend time at the always inspiring Cleveland Museum of Art and have dinner at our favorite restaurant, L'Albatross.
To avoid the stress of driving through Chicago, we drove up to Muskegon, Michigan and took the Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. The ferry was the first high speed auto passenger ferry in the United States when it began operation in 2004. When you get out onto one of the Great Lakes you realize how big they are, as this photo Mark took of the boat approaching Milwaukee illustrates.
We got in at dinner time and managed to get a seat at a favorite spot, stayed the night and went to the Milwaukee Art Museum where we saw more great art. Mark and I both took tons of photos which I will share later.
I am glad that you and your family were able to spend time together remembering and honoring your sister in such a meaningful way.
Posted by: Kristin | Monday, June 13, 2022 at 07:45 AM
It sounds like it was a wonderful way to celebrate Meg's life and to enrich your own - we never know how long we have. Losses are painful but reminders to assess what is important for us in our own live.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, June 13, 2022 at 09:42 AM
I'm sorry you've lost your sister, Linda, a bittersweet journey indeed. Peace to you.
Posted by: Susie at pbmGarden | Monday, June 13, 2022 at 12:55 PM
As memorials go, Linda, I can't imagine a better one than that you just described. With condolences on your loss, may you continue to be visited by memories that offer support and comfort when you most need them.
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, June 13, 2022 at 01:06 PM
It sounds like a lovely celebration of your sister. We'll be doing similar for my dad soon. You've helped me to rethink how we're approaching the trip back home. Andrew wanted to stop on the way to do a little fishing and I was resisting it, but perhaps a meandering route will be a good way to continue to think of him and all that he gave me—rather than just rushing back to Portland to resume "normal life".
Posted by: danger garden | Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 11:57 AM