One of the joys in my life has been my Sunday visits to Ruth and Nelson Bryant’s house. Ah, hot tea, baked goods and stories. These visits were not only nut-tritional but also entertaining. One, in particular, has always caught my imagination and curiosity.

Nelson spoke of the time he was going to run away from home. He told his mother he had had it — he couldn’t remember what “it” was — and ran upstairs to pack his bag. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask what he packed.

He couldn’t remember.

Now we can all take a guess at what Nelson would have packed at such a young age. A jackknife? Fish hook and line? Maybe an extra pair of socks? Of course he would have taken the spare change his mother gave him for bus fare.

Now to Nelson’s final journey, we don’t have to guess what he will take: Honor. Duty. Courage. Kindness. Valor. Integrity. Fortitude.

You packed well, Nelson.

Bill Bailey of Edgartown is Nelson Bryant’s son in law.