Our family trips to Denver to visit my Uncle Abie and Aunt Janine were something I cherished deeply, especially during the summers and at Christmas. The anticipation I felt during the long drive up there was always a sign of how much these visits meant to me. Their home wasn’t just a place to stay—it felt like an extension of who they were, warm and welcoming, filled with the little details that made it uniquely theirs.

One of my fondest memories is of playing dominos with my uncle. He taught me how to play, and in the early mornings, while everyone else was still asleep, we would spend hours at the table together. The smell of freshly brewed Folgers coffee filled the house, mingling with the quiet morning air. I’d be the first one up with him, and we’d sip coffee and play, the rhythmic clinking of the dominos marking the time until the rest of the house began to stir. Those hours, just the two of us, were ours alone. There was something special about that stillness, how time itself was slowed down while going at warp speed simultaneously.

The house had its own distinct character, shaped by Aunt Janine’s touch. She had a deep love for wind chimes, and her French heritage was reflected in the copper pots and village scenes that adorned the walls. But what sticks out most in my mind is the grandfather clock in the living room. It would chime every night at midnight, and I can still hear that sound, clear as day. Whenever it woke me, I’d find myself needing to make my way to the bathroom, where a nightlight softly illuminated the space.

That light wasn’t just any light—it would shift through the colors of the rainbow, casting a soft glow that felt almost magical to my young self. I remember following its gentle hues, knowing that it was there to guide me in the dark. To me, that light became a symbol of my Aunt Janine’s presence, just as the steady tick of the grandfather clock became a symbol of my Uncle Abie. Together, they created an atmosphere that was both comforting and timeless, a feeling of being held in a space filled with love.