Day 77

We are in the family business. What I mean by this is that today felt, for the first time, as if we truly have a family business, the type that one reads about in other peoples’ stories. I am referring to the fabled lifestyles where everyone has a role to play; Grandma bakes the cakes, Uncle George does the taxes, Butch the dog handles security… you know, the stuff of fiction.

But here we are, on this day in June, and we have family teamwork, helping prepare our beach restaurant and café for Saturday’s big reopening. B is sanding and sanitizing table tops, A is pressure washing furniture and floors and anything that falls into her line of sight, D is sifting the sand on the beach. I am accomplishing the touch-ups to the paintwork, where the scrapes and knocks have taken their toll. Transformation is enormously satisfying. And so is teamwork.

A government official visits the site, to check out table plan, signage and sanitation protocols. Followed shortly by the Department of Health representative, who apologizes for his long hair that is overdue a cut. It’s hard to have a conversation when all persons communicating are wearing masks. We resort to Neanderthal-level sign language that involves waving frantically, and several different versions of ‘ok’ that involves forming an ‘o’ like a diver, or one thumb up for good, or two thumbs up for great. I keep forgetting no one can see me smile. Luckily we pass all the tests and are granted permission to open at the weekend.

Sunset tonight was particularly peaceful, most likely because we all felt physically weary. Early to bed tonight, and the family business of transformation starts again early tomorrow.

Good night 💤