‘Throw it up y’all, throw it up, Throw it up’..
I have been back in Maine for nearly a week, following my two week California adventure. It was the longest stretch I have ever spent away from the state which I have called home for most of my 31 years. My trip was amazing, filled with visiting family and friends, some spontaneous adventure, and lots of California love.
My trip kicked off with a rough air travel. My flight was delayed out of Portland for 5 1/2 hours, putting me in Newark overnight, where I was able to sleep for about 2 hours, before getting back to the airport to catch the first flight west. My main concern was missing my friends wedding, which I did not. Despite being overly tired, kicking my vacation off with old friends, and dancing is a-o-k by me!
The day after the wedding, I went to a family birthday party for my cousin Sidney.
My family is so large that I almost always end up in town during one birthday celebration. It is a great opportunity to see everyone, especially all the beautiful kiddos and babies. I miss them so much. They grow so fast, and it’s a total bummer to not spend more time getting to know them. I did a family photoshoot with one side of my family. I have never photographed a large group, and while I am happy with a number of the shots, it was MUCH harder than I anticipated. I am happy I got the opportunity to capture some moments for them. I know it can be hard to have decent family portraits, especially when your family starts to grow and grow some more.
I got to spend some special time with both grandparents. I went through old pictures and stories with my papa, along with art tips which I am so grateful he takes the time to share with me. I played cards with grandma, had a lunch adventure in Sacramento, went to the movies and danced at a concert in the park. I am so lucky to be able to have the adult experiences I do with my grandma. She is one cool lady. She is my grandmother, full of wonderful stories and wise words, but she is also my dear friend, who hears me out and gives plenty of great advice and love.
My mom and I took a spontaneous road trip to Carmel at the beginning of my vacation. When I was growing up my family always had a gallery in Carmel. We spent a lot of time down there, so it is really nostalgic of my childhood. I truly love Carmel. A year ago my aunt Debi opened a Bennett Sculputre Gallery in Carmel, in the same space our family business occupied 30 years ago. I missed the grand opening last year and really wanted an opportunity to see it. We had galleries all over the world when I was a child, but it has been many years. It feels so great that she is honoring the work and legacy and bringing back the Bennett name. Being detached from the artist lifestyle I grew up with, it is nice to be reminded of the amazing talent that I came from. Mom and I also took some time to drill down and get my papa’s website done. We have a lot of photos to add, but collecting, scanning and organizing photos from 40 years…is no small task! The time spent with my mom, both adventuring and working on projects was so special. I am hoping to get her out to Maine for a long stretch this winter.
I spent a full week up North, which although wonderful did not feel like enough time. I rounded out my adventure with 4 days in LA. I saw so many faces, and actually missed a few that I wished I had seen. Four days is just not enough time to visit with friends made over a decade, that are spread all over. I spent an entire day in my old Venice neighborhood. If there was one place in Los Angeles I would return to, Venice is that place.
I visited with my Aunt and Oma on my dad’s side, which is always a special treat, and left with a hand knit scarf to keep me warm in the Maine winter. Thank You Oma! I did a maternity photo shoot with one of my best friends in LA, which was so fun. That story and pics..will be coming soon.
This was the first time in two years of business that I really left the deli at home. I let my partner do his thing, and left the stresses for my return. I dropped down and stayed present, which gave this trip an entirely different feeling that past visits. I also feel much more settled in my life in Maine. The guilt of leaving my family has lessened, and constant ‘grass is greener’ comparisons have faded. Don’t get me wrong, I still miss California, and wish up and down that I could spend more time. Mostly though, despite the beautiful scenery and diverse landscape, I miss the people. My people.
I realize that my man (though he ‘took’ me away in the first place) has allowed me the opportunity to travel back enough to nurture the relationships I have, because the relationships we have with people are all that really matter. And for that I love and appreciate him so much more.
Overall I am so blessed to call such a beautiful state home. In my life in Maine I am constantly told by people that they dream of going to California ‘some day’. So I guess I am blessed to be from a place that makes up the dreams of so many. Then of course my friends and family in Cali tell me how much they wish to visit Maine and see all the beauty this place holds.
For now I sit grateful to call both sides home. I look forward to exploring more of both the east and west coast…and all that lies in between.
