As the long, sun-drenched days of late spring stretch across Nantucket, the island hums with the energy of change. The wind, softer now, carries the scent of salt and lilac, the ocean glints under a sapphire sky, and the islanders and visitors alike turn their attention to two distinct yet intertwined celebrations: the indulgence of the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival and the solemn ref lection of Memorial Day. These twin pillars of the season, one brimming with the joy of taste and tradition, the other steeped in the quiet reverence of remembrance, ask us to embrace life’s beautiful contradictions. How do we balance celebration with honoring the past? Perhaps, as with all things on this storied island, the answer lies in the land itself. Our gardens, whether brimming with heirloom vegetables or wild with native blooms, are a reflection of this delicate dance, offering us both sustenance and symbolism, abundance and solace.