Please Consider This, Mommy Gin

Dear Mommy Gin,

Last night I heard you were putting "Thistle Dew" on the market to be sold. I was shocked and saddened at the news. I am writing this letter to try to convince you to keep the property in the family. I have been going to the family cabin ever since I can remember. I now have children of my own and would like to offer them the same chance to have wonderful memories of "our" cabin that I have. Is there any way I can convince you to explore other alternatives than letting our beloved beach cabin slip away from our family?

Every year I look forward to our annual trip to the beach. I anticipate it for months. I will never forget smelling the scent of the ocean before I could even see it. I always roll down the car window, taking in deep breaths of the salty air. The dampness of the air immediately puts the natural curl back into my hair. Rounding the last corner I gasp as I catch the first glimpse of the huge "Haystack Rock", and next to it the two, thin and tall "Needle" rocks. It is a sight that will be imbedded in my memory for the rest of my life. I'm sure you felt the same way at some time or another, didn't you?

I have wonderful memories of spending time with you and Gramper Sam, Gordon and his children at "Thistle Dew". Completing jig-saw puzzles, reading by the light of the kerosene lamps, roasting marshmallows over a driftwood fire on the beach, playing in the tide pools around the rocks, picking blackberries, and digging razor clams are all fond recollections. Do you remember the trips to Arch Cape, exploring the caves and walking around the point making sure we had time to get back before the tide came in?

I was told you were selling the cabin because you are aging and unable to visit it anymore; and that Auntie Anne rarely uses it as she lives on the East coast and Uncle Gordon, too busy in recent years to go to the cabin, would rather have the money to improve his farm. I also realize that the cabin is in disrepair and the cost and energy to restore it must seem overwhelming to you.

I talked with Kathy, Rachel and Philip.We are all deeply saddened by the thought of losing this wonderful place, that we hold so dear to our hearts, and the opportunity to pass the memories down through the generations to come. We thought of an idea that we hope you will seriously consider. We would like to buy the old cabin but at this point are unable to come up with the entire purchase price. Would you consider selling it to us on a land-sales contract? We are able to put some money down and then would split the monthly payments equally among us. I realize this may be an inconvenience for you, but I hope you can understand why keeping the cabin in the family is very important to us. We are willing to work with you on any other alternatives you may think of. What do you think?

I will look forward to hearing from you soon and we all hope our idea will work for you.

Your loving granddaughter,

Linda

Author's note: I never sent this letter to my grandmother. She and my uncle sold the cabin without telling anyone until after the transaction was final.