Five years ago,
in thirst for my next adventure,
in pursuit of liberation
elsewhere in the nation
I stood on my Dallas doorstep
and declared "Destination: Los Angeles."
Then you sidled up to me out of the Midwestern vapor and asked:
"Why go to that La-La-Land when you can come to this one instead?
The land is lush and green,
the air is free and easy
and you can live as you wish."
Instinctively and without hesitation
I changed direction toward the interior unknown -
and true to your word,
I arrived to find your landlocked bubble of liberty
where individuality reigned,
creativity flourished,
sunflowers beckoned,
dandelions sprouted,
oddities abounded,
people welcomed,
and acceptance prevailed.
Somehow you knew the Free State was where I needed to be.
Somehow you knew I'd have to land smack in the middle of the country to find my sea legs.
Now it's time for me to use them.
Goodbye and thank you
Lawrence, Kansas.
I will miss you.
27 comments:
Lawrence will miss you too!
*sniff* The Free State, indeed. Happy travels!
Dammit, Aimee. *sniff, sniff*
safe travels.... love the Nov 1st "dump"... the East Coast will be charmed by your personality!
I'm so happy I got to meet you in Lawrence! Good luck on your next big adventure!!! xoxo
sob! Happy for you, but will miss out art dates! I'll still have them and pretend you are there.
i'm bummed that i won't be visiting you in lawrence, ever again. but i look forward to east coast adventures!
how sad! it's difficult to leave a house and a city you love, especially when you don't know yet where you'll truly settle. and yet, it's also exciting, heading into the unknown. who knows what discoveries lie ahead? we'll be here, waiting, for your reports from the field ;)
good luck to you, and hope you have a safe and adventure-filled journey east.
Good Luck on your next adventure!
It's still my favorite Visitor Guide cover ever. I think that's partly because it's just awesome and partly because you're just awesome!
I love that you love our little town and I'm certain that Lawrence's loss will be NJ's gain. Safe travels!!!
I'm so sad to see you leave Kansas. It's silly, I know, but seeing my home state through your eyes made me smile, and I had hoped to one day meet up with you when I came back to visit. Another time, another place. Happy Trails to you, Aimee!
I can feel your heart here, I had to leave the beach to come to Boulder, and all my arty friends. There is a whole new adventure ahead, and this is a good time to make a map! Love to you.
What a charming house! It will bring good memories.
i feel so sad reading this post. i don't think we ever saw your house in it's entirety and it is charming. i hope you will feel the same way about your new home even if you don't take a direct path to get there. safe travels. xo, c
A lovely post. Bon voyage - and good luck in the next leg of the journey.
xo
wonderful poem. you make my heart ache just a little for a place i've never been.
actually, you've been pushing me toward lawrenceville since i first read your blog.
an old friend and musician, Mike Doughty is currently on tour and was just there, even he said he didn't want to leave the funky little city.
You're writing never ceases to amaze me - bringing tears to my eyes as I think of the dessert tray of places we've lived. Some sweet and insatiable while others interrupted with the salty crunch of a misplaced peanut. What delicious confection awaits us? I can't wait to see it manifest in your newest artsyville installments. With such a supportive community you've built, you'll never be alone or without an empathetic ear.
Such a bittersweet time to say goodbye to a place you've fallen in love with, while moving on to new adventures. Very best wishes to you during this transition!
How very brave of you to move on. But I'm sure you are very excited to start a brand new life in NY. I'm a little jealous, actually. And as long as you have your family with you, I'm betting it will all turn out great.
What a gorgeous photo and poem. I would love to move and start over, but here, in Bakersfield, I still sit.
*sigh*
Brava, kudos, quite simply YOU ROCK! I hope you'll continue #AEDM on the road!
To see my post for today, visit Here!
I'll miss your adventures in Lawrence too--but I can't wait to explore the big apple with the artsyville humor, stories, photos and doodles that I've come to love!!!
so beautiful, so bittersweet, I know the feeling.
Awww beautiful...All the best of everything to you Aimee and family as you start a new adventure! No matter where you go you will always be in Artsyville and taking us with you for the ride! Thank you for the wonder-fullness that you spread wherever you are!
xokp
All the best on your new adventure, Aimee.
your house is gorgeous!!!
I love your poem too.
Am sure you're going to infuse another place with your charm and whimsy, Aimee.
Awwww. This makes me want to cry. :( Good bye, quirky Lawrence and sweet, beautiful home. Destination Los Angeles will have to wait. Maybe next time.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Oh this is so beautifully written, from the heart.And it reveals your sweet sensitive personality. Loved reading this.
Deep breath as you bravely move forward to new adventures and exciting unknowns.
Hugs
Kat Xx
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