May I speak freely?
Is there room to grow
were we stand
were I’ve been planted
where “consistency is key”
but whoa is me
who is me
who am I now
will you meet me where I am
today or tomorrow
is there room to grow
I barley know
Am I in a box I can’t see
will you only see me
here and now
if I leave the box will you leave me . . .
If I leave , what will I be
If I leave and become more me
will you expect to still see me?
Even if you won't speak to me?
Max and I have been on lots of trips since we got married, and lots of trips since Flora has been born, but we RARELY have been on trips just us. We are always traveling with other family or friends and we delight in that, but it was a busy and hard year last year so we needed some space to ourselves. I’m so grateful we were able to make this trip happen. We ate our share of lobster and lobster rolls, and maybe our share and a half of clam chowder. We climbed on as many big rocks as we could find (that’s a lot) and did a fair amount of hiking. Flora was thriving in those forests and requested that her and Max go on a few hikes alone, “no mom’s allowed”, Flora exclaimed. I didn’t argue, I love the forrest but I will happily drive the car a mile and a half down this mountain so you can have some bonding time lol. They were both elated to do that together, the kind of adventure they had been looking forward to.
The little coastal towns in Maine are very tourist based, so they were mostly closed for winter still while they prepare for the summer chaos. It was nice to experience these spaces without crowds and and without drowning in sweat and the summer heat. They are adorable places and I imagine it is a hoot to summer vacation there. We talked about how fun it would be to ride bikes and bring our kayaks there to visit the smaller islands.
Part of this trip was a bit of a scouting mission. Max and I have different preferences on what kind of land and climate we prefer, Max wants elevation, mountains, rocks, winter, and I want ocean. I don’t need a tropical climate but I want to be able to swim in the ocean for at least a portion of the year. I thought I didn’t want winter, but I missed a Michigan winter one year and learned that I need the cold much more than I thought I did. Maine is one of the places we agreed might have all of these things for both of us. The things that I desire for land like ducks, geese, sheep, and cherry trees can all be kept/grown in Maine as well. Maine is basically a saltwater Michigan, I had a few conversations with Mainers that the two are often referred to as sister states. Now that I have driven through a very large portion of both states, I very much agree.
We kind of anticipated going there and absolutely falling in love and having to drag ourselves home, and though I think that we did enjoy it very very much, we agreed that most of the things we enjoyed there can be found in Michigan (except seafood). I intend on visiting many more Michigan lighthouse in the next few years. We did love the architecture, and the cape style houses with lots of shake siding. A lot of properties have this Big House - Little House - Barn set up and we were fond of that as well, it will suite our needs as time goes on. I also love the Mainer culture and their general desire and respect for quality materials for everyday use, like clothes and building materials and food. For anyone that was worried we were going to go on this trip and come home to announce our departure from Grand Rapids, rest assured, that is not the case . . . not yet at least ;). I’m not sure where we will be after we retire but Maine is certainly a contender.
I’m here once more to sing my praises to Laicee Thill Photography.
I love her, she is amazing, I trust her endlessly. Her view of us is one of my favorites. I am a unique person with unique flair and I don’t fit most “trendy” photographers style, so finding someone who can not only handle or tolerate us and all of our colorful glory, but finds inspiration in us is a gift, a dream, and I hope and exciting adventure for everyone involved. lol
As a creative adult (and fellow photographer) I find myself nervous to have my photos taken because I too have vision for what the shoot can look like. I’m never nervous with Laicee because her vision is ALWAYS different than mine and it always suits us so well. I have such appreciation for it. I can share my vision all day long but when I am her muse, I want to see her’s. I can think of few more exciting things than to be an artist’s enthusiastic patron, and I am endlessly excited to be one of Laicee’s.
If there is an artist you love, sing their praises and share their work.
Laicee, thank you once again for the reflection. Your photos are the mirror that talk back, the mirror that says affirmations to me without me reciting them first. They help me shift the critical voice in my head into the voice that cheers me on for showing up fully and having a f*&%ing fun time with my kid. You do what you do so well, and I value it greatly.
