The metal plaque on the gate says "Stay Awhile." I always slow my pace, wondering who lives in the small Edwardian-era house with the white picket fence. Did the plaque come with the house or was it installed by the current owners? We have gone through a time of isolation, when inviting people into your home could be dangerous. During the dark days before vaccines became available, the words on that gate seemed like words of hope. Now I can see them as homey and welcoming.