Fairhaven Area;  Bellingham, Washington

Returning from vacation is never easy.  I spent yesterday editing about 100 pictures from Ireland, which are now on my Smug Mug Gallery.   These 100 were a good representation of about 500 or so that I took. 

After I did this, I wandered down to the Colophon Cafe in Fairhaven to have some hot, spiced cider (which was amazing!).  I was feeling a bit sad.   When I returned from Africa last year, I was ecstatic to be home.  Not because I had a bad time – I LOVED Africa.  But, I’d had enough and was ready to be in my own bed.   Even on my previous trips to Europe, though short, I was still happy to be home.    This time was different.  I felt very connected to Ireland in a way I haven’t yet experienced with another location.  I feel like a piece of me is missing.

As I was leaving the Colophon Cafe, a little boy was kicking through the leaves on the sidewalk.   This reminded me of an elderly woman in Dublin who was wandering around outside the National Gallery just swishing through the leaves and watching them scatter in the wind.  It was a beautiful image I decided not to photograph. 

I’m not sure how to wrap this post up – my thoughts are blowing around like those colorful leaves in the breeze.  I guess I’ll keep traveling, keep learning, keep reading, keep meeting new people.  I’ll laugh until I cry and wake up feeling exhausted and satisfied.   I will push through fear and realize all my dreams.  

I will live life more abundantly.