Sleep-ing in Seattle

It was a beautiful day as I drove across the bridge to Mercer Island.  I realized this would be my last night sleeping in my parents' home.  And the loss of my connection to the Island really hit me.  It's no longer where a part of me lives.  Yes, it will always be where I grew up, but I would probably say I grew up in Seattle--a very different culture from Mercer Island, set apart in the middle of Lake Washington.

Mt. Rainier seen from the floating bridge

Next time I head up, the house will be staged with mid-century modern furniture (not a favorite) not the warm Scandinavian teak that my parents had.  It will look like a contemporary home, just not a classic Northwest home.  But one big improvement is the trees and shrubbery the realtor had trimmed.  It's opened up the lake view that had disappeared after sixty-plus years of growth.  

Seward Park is visible across the lake

At the end of the road (about four houses down) is the lake--a small, rocky 'beach' called Franklin Landing.  It gets crowded with spectators during Seafair weekend each August when the Hydroplane Races take place out in front and the Blue Angels fly overhead.  Otherwise, it's just accessed by neighbors.

Franklin Landing

Mercer Island was a wonderful place to grow up.  It's a small island, at less than five miles long by two miles at the widest.  It was accessible only by ferry until August 1940 when the original floating bridge was built from Seattle.  When we moved there in 1953, it had a very small two-block shopping center and a population of 4,500--mostly younger families.  We've all grown up since then, and now MI is a busy town of 25,000 with relatively small commercial areas, and all forms of residential living, with many multi-generational families still residing there.

An aerial view of Mercer Island in Lake Washington

It was a sad last stay, mostly tied up with the emotions of losing my dad (and mom).  I've really enjoyed the drive up--with a good book to listen to--over the years since I moved to Portland.  I'll miss my visits to Mercer Island, but who knows, my ties to Seattle may not be over... 

As we pass junctures and turning points in our lives, the important thing is to look forward.  And as a good friend reminded me recently, my home and garden and my family and friends provide enough inspiration, pleasure, contentment and joy to fill me up.  And if we have good health and the enthusiasm and energy to do the things that make us happy--what more can we ask?

~ The End of a Chapter ~