A Family Tradition

The other day I was in visiting my dear Grandpa we got to talking about the cottages. The Thompson Cottages are a family business that began with my great-grandmother opening the Thompson House, built by the previous generation, as an inn. My grandfather was born in that inn. When Grandpa inherited the business, he built 20 cottages on the water to accompany it. At the ripe age of 80 my grandfather retired and passed the business along to my parents. I look forward to being the next generation inn-and-cottage keeper.

We were talking about how busy the cottages have been this summer and Grandpa drifted off into the past. I get excited when he talks about the old days. After all, he is one of the oldest remaining locals at 92 years-old. It is a treat for me to hear about how my home town that I love so dearly used to be. I overcame the urge to sit on the floor and eagerly listen like a 5-year-old at story time.

Grandpa started from the beginning. How he borrowed a big quantity of money (for those days) and went out on a limb to buy perhaps the prettiest property in the village right on the oceanfront. People thought he was crazy taking such a financial risk. Then he started building cottages. The first three were built with the help of his friend. Grandpa built the following 17 on his own. He scavenged the stones for the fireplaces everywhere he went and another buddy did the masonry for him. His three sons, including my father, helped him with the last few. They have proved sturdy enough; they're still holding ground after close to 50 years!

I told him how I look at the cottages all day when we're hauling, my voice filled with emotion, as I couldn't contain my family pride. "They look good from the water, don't they?" I shook my head in agreement.

The cottages have played a significant role in my life. I grew up playing with kids who came to the cottages with their families down in Back Cove. We have several close family friends who return to rent a cottage annually. The Thompson House continues to be a source of awe for me, as it has so much family history that we continue to uncover to this day. When I was little I loved to snoop around in the dark closets and find old tokens of my ancestors.

I have also worked at the cottages quite a bit. I have cleaned for many summers now. I was initially trained to clean by my great-aunt Martha, Grandpa's sister. We worked together on the same cleaning team and had a blast. I have also made other contributions over the years like painting the trash sheds, decking the boathouse dock, painting rowboats, and making signs.

I often think about how lucky I am. What better gift to pass on to one's offspring than a lucrative business built with one's own hands that allows others to share an appreciation for the place that one loves? I am incredibly grateful for Grandpa's hard work. The family business is in my eyes a manifestation of the generosity for which my grandfather is known around town. I will proudly carry on the tradition to the best of my ability and hope to pass it on to my children some day.