Memories of Maine

I'm going to post out of order and write about last week's happenings. Next post, I promise to write about my trip to Brisbane, along with some photos I took on the ferry.

I went to Maine to visit with my Mom and Dad, Sister and brother-in-law. My Dad has gone through some very hard times in the last couple of years. Every moment I can spend with them is precious. They are my nearest family and I will be going very far away. It lightened my heart they all expressed how proud they were of me.

I tried to experience as much of home as I could while I was there. My Mom and Dad each gave me family mementos...I am grateful to take memories of my home and family with me to Australia. It was so cold the last day I was there. That was a Maine winter day. Clear, well below freezing, ice in the river, ice crystals always crunching underfoot. The air was so cold it burned my lungs when I mistakenly breathed in through my mouth.

I remember the sound of ice forming on a puddle. I remember my luckily half-full water bottle frozen solid after sitting in the car all night. I remember deciding to move my computer bag into the car with me so my computer wouldn't freeze. I remember being thankful I had brought gloves and long underwear, and my Mom and Dad had given me a wool sweater to take with me -- in case I got into trouble on the road back to Boston. I remember feeling the cold in the joints of my hand.

I remember seeing the edges of tidal streams covered with ice and ice coating the sedges. I remeber the fuel dispenser at the gas station burning my hands it was so cold. I remember thinking how cold it was every time I had to get outside to do something. I remember how hot the inside seemed after being outside after even a short time.

I remember stepping outside in Revere and realizing it was at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, and how balmy that felt. I remember stepping into the San Francisco night and being so warm I had to take off my black overshirt and unzipping my hoodie. The thermal stress I underwent in Maine was extraordinary. A typical day went from below freezing to 68 and back many, many times.

I remember the sight of snow flurries. Just a few snow crystals floating by on a gentle breeze and knowing it was so cold there would be nothing more than a few bits of snow. But I did experience a brutal Maine winter one more time. It's so hard to want to go outside in weather that cold.

There was a truly odd moment when I hugged my Dad goodbye. I set off his lifeline alert, which is this little disk he wears on a chain which he can push if he gets into trouble. It generates quite an alarm and involves someone from a central location calling them back to check in on them. An awkward moment, but somehow, just part of life these days.

I remember being surprised how many big parks there are in their home city. I remember being in the dining room with my Dad and the funny feeling I had when I realized I was the youngest person in the room by about twenty years. I surprised my Dad when I told him I was in my late forties.

I remember most of all breaking into tears several times on the ride back to Boston. I tried to experience every moment of my trip home, including the leaving. No sugar coating the real part of leaving my home and my family on another adventure. They're used to it now, but it's that much harder for me to leave now than it was in my twenties.

I remember how pleased my sister and brother-in-law were to know they will be grandparents again. Seeing my parents and the other folks at their facility, it started me thinking about how I want my old age to be. I'm inspired by a friend's step-dad, who is 81 and very active.

I remember how difficult it was to eat a healthy diet and to exercise. I realized I love California because I can be outside almost any time of the year. I love being outside and I do believe that's one of the things that will endear me about Brisbane and Queensland in general. So many positive changes came about when I started going outside more and more.

I remember flushless urinals in Yarmouth.

I remember icicles on the eaves of the house. I remember the grey light of day. I remember the sun and moon in the winter sky; the moon seemed so huge and bright.