By Beverley Cunningham
Sam sank into the Muskoka chair and uttered a deep sigh. What a day, he reflected. It was a small event, a glorious celebration. A happy tear danced down his wrinkled cheek and disappeared in the crook of his smile. The music echoed on and he surmised that the wedding party would dance into the wee hours of the morning.
Today, Katie lived her dream of a lakeside wedding, and it was truly more than she imagined. The sun shone and a gentle wind tickled her shoulders as she walked down the moss-laden flagstone “aisle.” Even the usually bothersome bugs seemed to accommodate – keeping to themselves in the trees and shrubs – understanding that this was a special day.
When Sam and Martha built the place decades ago, it was just a tiny cabin on a densely wooded lot. Every year, they tackled a new project, enhancing the cottage and grounds. And when Sam’s old back grew too tired to labour in the heat and humidity, his son, Robert, and then his grandson, Alex, took over, carrying on the tradition of a summer project. Now the family retreat could comfortably sleep 20 and tonight it was bulging at its seams, but no one seemed to care. All that mattered was that everyone who mattered was here, together, toasting to the future of this wonderful young couple.
Sam thought back on this remarkable day. His favourite moment was when Colin removed the veil covering Katie’s face and kissed her gently. The entire group jumped up whooping and hollering and … well you can’t do that in a church! Even so, Sam knew that God was present and blessing this union, along with Pastor Paul.
Then there was the wedding feast with all the toasting, joking, and of course, more kissing. Katie’s father, Alex, gave a toast to welcome Colin into the family.
“Colin, my boy, we’re so happy for you and our dear Katie, but there’s something you have to know. Our family has a very unique wedding night tradition to uphold here at the lake. It started way back in the 1930s by Katie’s great-grandfather, Sam McNeil. As the story goes … on Sam and Martha’s first night at the lake, a big black bear prowled around the cottage and shook these very walls to their foundation. Martha was so terrified, she wouldn’t let go of Sam all night long. In the morning, the bear was nowhere in sight and all was well with the world. Afterward, Sam referred to Martha’s embrace as the ‘honeymoon hold: sweetly and tightly and ever so lightly!’ He said that if you sleep and awake entwined in each other’s arms, you are destined for a long and happy marriage, just like him and Great-grandma Martha.”
Sam chuckled and thought to himself: God bless those kids for keeping his tradition alive. If they only knew that he was the one shaking the cottage walls! He wanted to be sure Martha cuddled close!
Sam was also deeply touched by Josh’s toast. Katie’s younger brother, usually shy, was unexpectedly expressive: “Please raise your glass in a toast to my great-grandfather, the man who made all this possible” he said. “Papa Sam was a true pioneer who fell in love with these waters and this land. This Lakehouse is a special place that has bonded our family – and created extraordinary love that is now passed on to you, Katie and Colin.”
Grandpa Rob continued reminiscing: “I chuckle thinking about the early days here. Remember the day Papa Sam chased the moose out of Grandma’s sunflowers? And the summer he caught the 30 pound muskie? And the afternoon we arrived at the cottage early and caught him and Grandma skinny-dipping? And we had to keep a straight face! I couldn’t have had better parents. I only wish they could be here to celebrate with us today. They would have loved this.
Old Sam smiled to himself. If Robert only knew! They had never left this land and wouldn’t have missed this for the world.
Sam sank into his chair deeply fulfilled knowing that his family was still closely connected to the land, the lakes and to each other.
So late at night when the loons are calling, the wind is whistling and the Muskoka chairs start creaking on the dock, relax. It’s just Sam sitting there with Martha, reflecting on the day and memories of their beloved Lakehouse.
Think this is the best of our contest entries? Vote for it.
Simply enter the word ‘Winner’ in the comments section below.
Voting closes August 3. One vote per person.
Beverley Cunningham said:
Winner
Bridges. Annie said:
Winner!!!!!
Lisa said:
Winner
jean tarrant said:
Winner
Jill Nielsen said:
win!
Debbie said:
Winner
Ken naugler said:
Winner
Stephanie Croal said:
Winner!
Marlene Dolson said:
winner
Julie McPherson said:
Winner
Deborah Currie said:
Winner
Wendy Bell said:
winner
Georgia Bolger said:
Love it!
Perry Cash said:
Winner
Brenda McPherson said:
Winner
Georgia Bolger said:
WINNER
karengirl (@karengirl) said:
Winner
Catherine Bolger said:
Gotta admit the ending caught me by surprise. I love surprises. Bravo to this winner.
Ian McLean said:
Beautiful!
Ian McLean said:
Winner!
Katherine McCulloch said:
Winner!
Sandy Campbell said:
Our family did not have a cottage, but I thank the families who shared theirs. Thanks Bev for taking me back to some golden summer memories! WINNER!!
Antoinette said:
Winner
Lynda Rickert said:
winner
Andrew Mc Pherson said:
winner
Debbie Kraemer said:
Winner
Pat marsh said:
Winner
Claire said:
Winner!
Brent said:
Winner. Presenting the possibility of Sam’s character appearing as a ghost is very clever and thought provoking.
Iain said:
Winner – great job Beverley
Allan Doerr said:
winner!!!!!!!!
Stephen said:
winner, very nice!
George Cunningham said:
That’s our Beverley she writes it as she believes it she has all those little girl dreams.
George Cunningham.
Winner
Jeff said:
Winner!! Very well written.
Matt Hartley said:
Winner
Cynthia Butler said:
Winner…I thought the story was lovely & reminded me of cottage days that I remember. Thank You
Mandy Mason said:
Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jason Bell said:
Awesome, Winner for sure!!!!
diane bacon said:
winner, very well written
Lois said:
WINNER!! Just loved the story Beverley.
Jill Nielsen said:
Winner- what a sweet story.
Bob said:
WINNER! Loved it Beverley..Bob from New Brunswick
Patrick said:
Winner
Patrick said:
Nice work Beverley…..great story..cottage life at it’s best !!!!
Barb Duffy said:
Winner. As told only as an true Irish writer could!! It is like listening to a conversation…
Barb Duffy said:
typo : as only” a” true
Brad McClanahan said:
Winner
John Gillen said:
Winner. Story beautifully told.
Could almost hear the lake water lapping on the shore
Stephanie Croal said:
I think Beverly captured the true meaning of what a Muskoka Cottage means to a family.Families share summers and many memories that transcend one that lives on in his beloved Muskoka summer home.
Aimee Oconnor said:
Winner….lovely story cousin of cousins!
Leslie Ann klein said:
WINNER!
sheila cutler said:
Wonderful story, Bev and brought back our own Georgian Bay cottage memories….definitely a winner
Bill said:
Winner
Ron Klein said:
Winner!!
Jeff said:
winner
Dr Bob said:
winner…….!
Susan Melkert said:
Winner.
Chris Bristow said:
Winner.
Pamela Smyth said:
Winner
Shelley Hewer said:
Winner
Ian McLean said:
Winner
Tim Fedy said:
Winner
andrea smerchinski said:
Winner
Alison said:
Winner
Vicky Truemner said:
Winner
Kathryn said:
winner!
Julia Deans said:
Winner!!
Jacqui McPherson said:
Winner
Caroline Dutka said:
Winner
sarah said:
Winner!
Mary Jane Turcotte said:
Winner! Well written Beverley, it made me feel like I was there.
jeff dutka said:
Winner
Margarete Volpe said:
Winner
Marg said:
Winner!!
Adam said:
Winner!
A V said:
Winner
Adamo V said:
WINNER!!!!!
Donna Clinton said:
winner!
Angela S said:
Winner!
Annie D'Annibale said:
Winner
Ema Leach said:
Winner!!!
Brent L. said:
Winner
Stephanie Croal said:
I definitely say WINNNER!
Iain said:
Winner
Heather said:
Winner
Heather Lemke said:
Winner for sure
Julie McPherson said:
Winner!
Nora Detlor said:
Winner!!!
Patrick said:
Really enjoyed thia
Patrick said:
Terrific read
Barb Duffy said:
Winner
Jeannie Zajac said:
Winner. Enjoyed reading it.
Andrea said:
Winner!
ron klein said:
still a WINNER!
BJL said:
This is a winner
Iain said:
Winner for sure
Susan said:
Winner
Susan said:
This winner of a story captures the essence of muskoka life!
Bunny said:
winner definately
Wendy H. said:
Winner for sure.
Very well written!!
Aisha Muslim said:
winner
Sarah Muslim said:
winner
Mary Lemanski said:
winner
Susan said:
Again, a real winner!
Aisha said:
winner
Sandy Campbell said:
Winner
marta cutler said:
winner