When driving home during these days of early darkness outside and continual bad news on the radio inside, it’s easy to forget that this is supposed to be the time for feeling joy. Maine rural roads between towns have few streetlights and many suicidal deer in the woods along the edges. You have to be alert.
Nonetheless, when coming around the last dark bend, the lights of the Baptist Church and Brooklin General Store appear and, as you approach them, the lighted Library entrance across from the store glows. That’s when the “finally home!” feeling comes and, these days, a bit of joy comes with it. (The images here were taken Thursday, December 10.)
There’s also a feeling of wonder at how a tiny town such as Brooklin could have such an impressive “downtown” (and we haven’t even mentioned the first class Fire Department and commercial operations, including famous boat building yards). The answer, of course, is that caring people provide and strongly support these rural wonders. (Brooklin, Maine)