Our cabin dream was set in motion when we were blessed with two grandchildren — a boy and a girl — one month apart from each other.
We realized we only had 10 to 12 years to provide outdoor family fishing, swimming and bonfires before their lives would be full of their own activities. All the things we wished we could have provided for our daughters, but could not afford at the time.
We had our top five priorities in our search for a cabin, knowing we may have to sacrifice one or two of them. We found the perfect cabin for our family; I could visualize us all there. We were devastated, then, when the owners accepted a different offer. It was back to the drawing board. Yet, within a week, we received a phone call that the other offer fell through.
We got our cabin with all our priorities — level lot, good swimming and fishing lake, and a bunkhouse for the third bedroom we needed. And all of it, on a lake in Aitkin, was within a two-hour drive for everyone. With a lot of work from family and friends, we repaired and updated the cabin to make it our own. We loved every minute of it.
While all this was happening, our third grandchild was born. I helped when I could, spending time at the lake with my daughter on maternity leave. There was no better place to rest.
Our grandson jumped up and down when he caught his first fish off the dock with Grandpa.
Our granddaughter asks me to sit on the dock and watch the stars at night.
It is all so meant to be; we are all truly blessed. The cabin was the best decision we ever made.
