I have heard so many people this week say that last Saturday was the perfect day. The sun was shining; it was warm; no humidity; and there was a slight breeze. It was the consensus that if the rest of the summer was like that day, everyone would be happy.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Georgia DeRoche, who celebrated July 24, Diego Valentim on July 27, Bianca Barbosa on July 28, and to Chloe Cook who celebrates her day today, July 30.

Julia Alves Sequeira was the guest of honor at a baby shower held at the home of Patty Mundt. Julia and her husband Weston are expecting their first child in October, a baby boy whose name will be Sebastian. Julia works in the nursery at Donaroma’s and Weston works on the irrigation crew. Congratulations to both and we can’t wait to meet your baby boy.

Benjamin Ramsey and Nisa Counter came into the nursery for some plants. We were waiting for prices and we started the small talk. As the conversation went on, I learned that he had just moved back to the Island not too long ago. He said he was raised off-Island and of course I had to ask his family name. He said he was Debbie Hancock’s cousin and I explained I knew Debbie from riding horses and my parents knew her parents Herb and Jean. He said that his grandmother was Ruth, who was Herb’s sister. This brought us to the conversation of his great- grandparents Hariff and Marion Hancock, who owned and operated Hancock Hardware on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven. His great aunt was Ester Hancock, who my mother went to church with and worked on many ham and bean suppers at the Stone Church.

When I went home that night, I started to think how special it is to live on this Island and to remember all those people who helped build this Island and make it that way. I am thankful for the small talk with Ben that started that memory. Then I thought that I am getting old because I remember someone’s great-grandmother and father. But Ben will be making his own history and memories.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.