Well
Portland, Maine is all I hoped it would be.
It is cold and sunny and friendly and lovely. I have to admit, when I first arrived I was a
bit shaken with the realization that my road trip had reached it
destination. I felt trapped and uncomfortable
unpacking, but my cousin Hailey was kind enough to let Charlie and I take
refuge in her adorably tiny apartment on the comfiest couch known to man, and I
was soon able to come to grips with my temporary immobility. Hailey and I spent the next few days walking,
running, cleaning, baking granola, cooking soup, hanging Christmas lights, farmers
marketing, holding babies, painting nails, attending yoga, chatting, and just
enjoying each others company in general.
It was really wonderful I must say.
I visited the bakery she works at
(which so reminds me of Stacey Cakes) called Katie Made. The elevated exterior and tiny kitchen gives
it a cozy rather than cramped feel, and any glamour lost in its size is more
than made up for by the alluring smell wafting down the street and delectable mixed
berry scones. We also caught a glimpse
of the city Holiday Tree coming down the road to be erected in Monument
Square. Santa controlled the crane. I can’t wait to see it all lit
up! 
Portland is a conscience community
with a wonderful mix of city life and small town tradition. It has large grass roots/ locally preferred
influence, which is noticeable everywhere while still living up to its
reputation as Maine’s largest city. I
could see myself staying here for an extended period of time, but then again I
can also see myself leaving…
Not all who wander are lost. I’ve heard that quite a bit in my life, and I
like to think it suites me. If I have
learned anything on this trip, it is that I will most likely always wander. There are those who know from near infancy
what their calling is (or maybe I should say callings) and work consistently and heartily to achieve it (them). In the past I prided myself on membership of
that category, but in experiencing even a tiny fraction of the world unknown to
me, my previous goals and ideas unraveled before my very eyes. I realized wanted to do and see and
experience so many things. There were
too many paths to choose from and I didn’t know where to start.
There are infinite ways to live a
single life, which means in some way we all search how to navigate it. When it comes down to it, deep breaths are
taken, opportunity cost considered, decisions made (some slow, some fast), and
action taken with each step creating repercussions and abounding with endless
possibilities. And that is life.
It is impossible to know what is
coming and in that hides the beauty of the entire process. Will I stay here? Maybe. Will I move again? Maybe. I will know what is right when the time
comes, and you (my ever faithful
readers!!) will be the first to know. Happy Holidays everyone, and may your
hearts and homes and tables be overflowing with gratitude and love.
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