Drinking a cup of joe, on a beautiful 4th of July weekend, I experienced solace as I watched swans swimming and boats heading out of the marina in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The sun was beautiful on the water. The boats were heading out for adventure at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. What a different world from our other home in Farmington, Michigan. The air is crystal clear. Ahh – the joys of summer – relaxation and peace.

My teens are happier. We always have a friend in tow. Our eldest, now 18, has college in the fall, but with a summer job and other activities, his summer has changed. The twins, now fifteen, are not working yet and can enjoy the summers of yesterday romping on the beach, biking, and staying up way past midnight. Adventure is always looming for our family at the cottage. New friendships, new experiences filled with laughter, and the stress of the daily grind seems to disappear. These experiences make owning a family cottage absolutely the best moments in life.

In talking with my friend Cheryl, we stared profoundly at a graceful family of swans trying to figure out how they nest; and also about their eating habits when they go “bottoms up” and somehow manage to get their food while upside down. We decided they were after seaweed, how boring, but the mother swan just kept teaching her babies how to get food, never leaving their side. The questions we kept asking each other of how swans nest and about their daily existence seemed a perfect and peaceful topic while we looked out on the water. I told Cheryl to Google it. It seemed natural on that beautiful summer day that our minds were both churning about the life of a family of swans. So with summer at the cottage, you find moments of opportunities and questions seem to come easily about the profound simplicities of life.

I’m sure you each have your own cottage stories and memories. When you can leave legacies for family members, it can enrich your life. I always remember that footprints on the sand can be followed. But, maybe you want to make your own footprints – a new direction to share with your family.

Connecting with Dan Penning, who is experienced in cottage law and real estate cottage succession planning, can keep your cottage memories intact with family members and for future generations. Now with July upon us, remember your blessings at the family cottage and share a hug or two with new friends and also share a moment of solace as you look at the water and catch your own footprints at the beach.

-Dori Penning