That summer was a festival of Daddy coming home at 4PM and having barbecues and swimming all afternoon till dark, often with family and friends, often skinny dipping en masse. He had summer hours and was able to do what he liked best which was to spend time with his family. Returning to New York after such a short stay made us all sad and leaving that wondrous house still stings me and I will always consider our time there of upmost importance in our lives as a family. We spent a brief time in New York and again we were off to Tokyo, a place we all loved and where three of my four children were born. Now we would get a chance to live there with our four children (Alex being the only American born in the group)and continue to develop our relationship with our beloved Japan.
We made our pilgrimage to New York and spent part of the summer in Miami, this time living in a house in Pinecrest that we bought initially as an investment and a place to hang out during the time that we spent in the US, but which turned out to become our headquarters here and a place of play and fun for every member of our family. We could not bring ourselves to rent it nor sell it. When my husband became ill, we all came here to spend Christmas and again it gave us solace and warmth. My husband's wish was to be cremated and his ashes strewn in the Bay of Biscayne. When the time came we flew to Miami with some friends who accompanied us and brought him to his resting place. For the purpose, we rented a fishing boat in the Port of Miami and sailed, escorted by a couple of Dolphins all the way to the Gulf Stream where we said our final goodbye. During the days we were in Miami for his memorial at our home and the boat ride to his resting place, we went to Versailles and to the beach in Key Biscayne in his honor. I remember going for a walk and leaving my group behind, still hearing the offers of company which I refused. I needed to be on that beach, walking it as we had, by myself with him on my mind, I walked and walked and then lay down and fell asleep. I was woken by our friend Rudy and his daughter Steph who had come to find me after they noticed that I wasn't coming back. I was sorry to have worried them, but that walk and that brief sleep were good for my soul and I needed to be where I was.
After returning to New York, Miami in general and Coconut Grove in particular still had a strong hold on me. I almost commuted between New York and Miami, since whenever I felt the need, I flew down to spend some time here. Every time I came, I looked for a place in Coconut Grove with my friend and realtor who was kind enough to humor me because he was sure I would never leave my home in New York. I did not feel comfortable living in the Pinecrest house by myself. I needed my own place for my new life on my own. One night, sitting at my computer I googled "houses for sale in Coconut Grove" and up popped a picture of what is now my patio. That was it, I flew down to see it, made an offer and bought it. Some time later, I sold our home in New York and moved here. My cottage is close to my old house which has ceased to enthrall me because I now have my place in the Grove, in the world. It is not big enough to house my children and their families so they stay at the Pinecrest House when they visit and I commute from my house to theirs. They do the same.
These are the photos I saw on the internet
My children married in quick succession and just as quickly, I became the grandmother of seven beautiful beings who with their parents, visit often and certainly in the summer. They come from Singapore, Brooklyn and Ottawa and they stay in our house in Pinecrest which seems to have been designed with them in mind. Lots of space where the little ones can roam and play without fear. Where grownups can gather or be on their own with a good book or chatting with a friend and a cold drink. With a pool that has become the meeting point and where we've hosted countless reunions with friends and family. We go to our old haunts and discover new ones.
This year they came in the winter to celebrate my birthday and again, the first visitor of the summer was from Singapore. My son, his wife and two little daughters came to start off the season. A little later, Brooklyn was in the house and quickly followed by the Canadian contingent. Their time here is a soft breeze of loveliness in the scorching heat. Picnics at the beach, partying in the pool and visits to Grandma's house where they can play with my dogs and cats and paint in my studio.
Here's Steven with Ruby and Lily in the Mexican Market
...and Max playing with his Legos in my dining room table
...and Alex and Max at Graziano's
...and Natalia holding baby Stella at the beach
...and in my house
...and Marisa with Max and Sam at dinner
...and me with Eva and Stella
...the many faces of Noemi and Uncle Adam
Today the last of my visitors left and while I started missing them a few days in anticipation and my life winds down to only my plans, my needs and my regular activities, my heart is fuller, my senses heightened and my gratitude endless and deepened. I've often said that my joy of becoming a grandmother to this growing tribe is mainly watching my children with their children and I get that chance by the strong connection that I've built with each one of them. I love to see their interactions with their children and build their own relationships with each other and their kids like their father and I did when they were young.
Yesterday my twin grand-daughters spent the afternoon in my house playing with my animals, swimming and watching movies. When they mentioned that they were going home tomorrow, I reminded them of how nice it is to return home and play with their toys, see their friends and sleep in their own bed, that like their grandfather used to say is "the sign that you've had a good vacation is being happy to be going home."
Back to mornings in my studio and my solitary visits to Key Biscayne where I sun, swim, read and smile thinking of the wonderful times we've had here and looking forward to more to come.
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