The Cottage

For as long as I can remember, Cumberland Point has been part of the landscape of my childhood. My grandparents acquired the little red farmhouse on Cumberland Point Road when my mom was a child and the family lived in Fredericton. It was already over a hundred years old at the time, and was sold to them by Burtis MacLean, who had purchased it from Archie Reese, who was born there. My parents bought it just before Grandpa passed away, to keep it in the family.

Year after year, we would arrive at the cottage road-worn but happy, to be greeted by hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa Bourassa. We would wake up every morning to the smell of coffee and a bowl of Grandpa’s porridge, then curl up on the Nest to thumb through an old Reader’s Digest for the hundredth time (RD’s from 1995 can still be found on the bookshelf above the Nest). Sometime mid-morning we would make our way to the beach, often staying there all day. Grandpa always had projects on the go, with which my dad helped, and Grandma and Mom looked after meals, which were copious, but we kids spent our days playing. I was always happy when Grandma and Grandpa would come down to the beach, Grandma in her swimsuit and sunglasses and Grandpa in his trunks and unbuttoned Hawaiian t-shirt. I liked knowing that they were taking some time to relax and enjoy the afternoon sun. Sometimes we would have lunch on the beach – I remember one meal during which Baby Leah discovered that sand could be a yummy topping for crackers!

After dinner we would often light a bonfire by the beach, roast marshmallows, and sing songs we learned from Grandma and Grandpa, huddling closer and closer to the fire as the night got cooler. On other nights, we would sit around the table, playing cards and eating popcorn. Sometimes I would lie awake in bed listening to the comforting sound of rain on the tin roof, but most often I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Deep and restorative sleep was a given at the cottage.

Things happen much the same way now as they did then. Grandpa passed away in 2007, and Grandma hasn’t been to the cottage since their last trip together, but I always think of them when I’m there – as I suspect we all do. I can still see nearly eighty-year-old Grandpa on the roof of his shed, working intently, my dad alongside him praying he wouldn’t fall. My dad now follows in Grandpa’s footsteps, seeming to enjoy his holiday all the more when there are jobs to be done.

One of this year's jobs

There are always lots of people at the cottage. Our family alone makes for a good-sized group, and we are often joined by friends, either spending their holidays there or just passing through. This year Liam and I were there with my parents and three brothers, as well as Leah and Chris. Brendan had to go back to work after our time with his family, and the Genest’s had their holiday before ours, but everyone is hoping that next summer will find us all there at once. There’s something about being at the cottage together that strengthens family bonds – perhaps it’s all the time we spend playing and talking and enjoying each other’s company, away from the things that demand attention in our respective homes. The cottage houses many fond memories for all of us and being back every summer reminds us of shared laughs and meaningful moments.

This year's Clampet picture, before B left (taken by Dad)

The first of many rounds of Settlers of Catan

The Nest

Pat learning to water ski

For me, the best part of being at the cottage this year was seeing Liam enjoy the place I grew up loving. After having gotten used to the beach in Aylmer and at Bay du Vin, he felt immediately at home on Grand Lake. He also enjoyed swimming with his special new floatie (which I would highly recommend to any parents of toddlers!). He seemed very confident in the water and swam all the way out to the raft with me several times. When he wasn’t on the beach, he was playing up at the cottage, running around with his auntie and uncles and lapping up floods of affection. 

I’m so glad that summers at Cumberland Point will begin to populate the memories of my children, marking milestones and defining life’s chapters, as they have for me.