A few weeks ago, Henry was at my house playing, when he suddenly said, "This day justs keeps getting better and better." I looked at him surprised, and then I realized he was quoting his mother who says this sarcastically as work calls with bad news, tax bill comes in, Solomon's school contacts her, etc. But Henry used it the other way...he meant it.

The week in Wellfleet was like that. Cold weather, rain, wind advisory, no beach days, no walks at Duck Harbor. I was like Sabra, well this vacation just gets better and better. Then it was Saturday, a nor'easter had blown all day Friday, keeping us near the fireplace, and the weather was not forecasted to be much better on Saturday with another nor'easter coming in on Sunday. But I could see the school buses running up to the festival, it was starting and a little after 10 Timmy and I climbed on a crowded school bus to get shuttled up to Main Street. Just getting on that bus, with all those happy, expectant faces, started to cheer me up. Crowding in, knees tucked up to your chin, in seats meant for smaller people, the mood suddenly brightened. (I think they ought to run the school buses on the weekends for adults - it would be a mood booster. Of course they would have to be taking you to a pub or someplace fun but thats another good idea, as they would be the designated drivers.)

Our first stop was at the Catholic Church that is being renovated into the Town Center where we already have signed up for a bench in the garden that will have Ria's name on it. The volunteers recognized me, "how are you doing? so good to see you, we remember you and Maria, all those cards with donations for Maria - I opened the mail and was amazed at the number of people that donated, etc, etc". Then we got to the festival, really good band, 3 guys that had a big sound. Timmy was happy and although he's not drinking (in training for a race next month) he went and got me a Sam Adams and oyster stew....yummy stew, not thick, but thin broth with almost a dozen oysters in it, potatoes and carrots...delicious. Looking around the crowd of strangers, people began looking familiar. "Look at that girl," I pointed out to Timmy, "shes
a cross between Bessina (Tivoli woman) and your sister" and he had to agree.

Then I saw a blond woman, good hairdo, well dressed with boots, and I thought that looks like Sharyn, Caleb's mother and I saw she was with a young man, whose back was to me. He turned and I saw the blind eye...IT WAS THEM. Normally shy, I surprised myself jumping off the seat and chasing them through the crowd. Sharon turned as I waved. I saw her look, like Do I know this woman? But she smiled and I reached her and asked Sharyn? Yes she said, and I introduced myself as Linda, Maria's Mom. She hugged me and introduced me to Caleb who gave me a hug and a kiss too. He looked wonderful, big smile, weaving to the music. He was with three young women who were introduced to me as his nurses from Boston. We exchanged a few words, I think of you often, I think of you often, too. Then she said I need another hug and I hugged her and out of the blue I said she was blessed. She looked surprised and we parted. I didn't get even a glimpse of them again, although I kept looking over the crowd.

The shucking began and we had front row seats. Another Sam Adams, Oysters Ole Cliff (like oysters rockefeller) and my mind shifted to Henry's words, "This day just keeps getting better and better." And I meant it. The sun even came out a few time.