by Lin McNulty

As our island begins to pull itself in and prepare for Fall and Winter, there are varying degrees of acceptance of these seasonal changes.

For those businesses dependent upon a lively tourist trade, I would assume there are mixed emotions. While the slower seasons bring less business which economically impacts many on the island, at the same time, there is now a chance to breathe after such an active summer.

A friend recently said to me, “this has been the most beautiful summer God ever created.” I must agree with her. The weather has been spectacular—and still is, even as we approach mid-September.

Yet, I can feel Fall approaching. The leaves are beginning to change. The sun is moving South. It’s becoming possible to find a parking space in the village. There’s more time to just talk with each other.

Twice, in the last week, I have been behind a car which has stopped in the road across from another car, occupants from both vehicles taking advantage of a moment to exchange hellos or important information. I love those moments! I often wish there were a signal I could give to them so that they know I don’t mind, and actually relish, the wait.

We have many folks who are part-time islanders; they live here in the summer and go elsewhere for the off-season. For me, the off-season is one of the main reasons I am here. I love the shrouded tapestry of gray. I love the rain. I even love the occasional Nor’Easter and accompanying power outages.

True to my normal behavior, just before Memorial Day, I will be tuned in to the excitement and anticipation of the tourists coming back. When the Fall of approaches, however, I always look around and think, if not say out loud, “Look! We have our island back.”

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