I Am From

I come from ripened blueberries,
from purple-stained fingers and calloused hands.
From stacked boxes that smelled like money.

I come from corn-chowder meals
and paycheck to paycheck living.
Plus cold showers and recycled cereal milk.
I come from fist-fights with brothers and jealous sisters.

I come from the train tracks leading to the Berry’s,
the tressel where I scratched my name with rocks
and would entrust all my fears.
From fallen leaves and winter slopes,
From long weekend camping trips to tenting
in my backyard.

I come from the cries of loons on Spring River Lake.
From budding forests and spring peepers,
and the bear cub we chased down the road.
I come from canoe races and cousins
who taught me to swim.

I come from championship rides with friends
in the back of my dad’s pickup truck.
From ramming the back roads with my Cavalier.
From four science fairs trophies with Anna,
and class field trips to the nearby salt waters.

I come from Sunday school mornings and church afternoons,
from the Green Pole which is as far as my mother
would let me ride my bike.
From melodies sung from the tops of seesaws,
and four friendships that made life possible.

I am from Downeast Maine.

 

 

Original work of art by nmleighton

Always So Unsuspecting

 

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan

St. Thomas, USVI

St. Thomas

Dominica

Dominica, more

Barbados

La Romana, Dominican Republic

Winter Deviousness

Alex's Recovery

Full Report

For daily updates on Alex's progress, check out: www.caringbridge.org. Click on VISIT, then type in ALEXWOOD to view his own personal website.

You can sign the guestbook and leave them a message if you like. They check it often!

Life Changes in an Instant

My little nephew, Alex, was in an accident this past Friday. At the last minute, he bolted out behind a car while it was backing up. Alex was taken to the Machias hospital and then later air-lifted to Eastern Maine Hospital, where he has been in the Pediatrics ICU since. He suffers from a broken nose and other facial fractures, including ones around his eyes. The doctor's have ruled out any kind of brain damage, thank God. We were very concerned about this since there was much swelling and some bleeding in the front part of his head (brain). Luckily the only laceration is behind his ear, so he shouldn't require any stitches which could cause scarring. The specialists at EMC are waiting for the swelling to subside (Alex doesn't even look like the same child, with all the bruising, road rash, and swelling.) before they decide what to do in terms of facial surgery. He's been sedated since Friday, so we haven't had an opportunity to talk with him. It's the saddest and most unnatural sight, seeing him laying there, sleeping, in a neck brace with lots of tubes hooked up to monitors. Of course, our family has been so upset and tired, but Alex is receiving the very best care. The nurses that have been assigned to him station themselves right outside his door at all times. Missy, Aaron, and Lindsey have been staying in Bangor, and are so amazed by the amount of encouragement and assistance they have received from family and friends. If you would like to call them or send them a card, please let me know and I will email you their number or address. In the meantime, please join in with the many people who are sending them prayers and wishes for Alex's full recovery.