The Island Paradise is a Paradox
My Lived Experience on Chebeague Island
January 2020 - May 2022
2.5 very meaningful and strange Years
Who knew in January 2020 when I finally arrived on Chebeague Island ( A desire from 3 years prior) that a pandemic would arrive at my heals 2 months later?
I would be living on an Island off the coast of Maine in an adorable cottage coming off of a 2 year travel gig across the country so divinely timed with the arrival of my 3rd grandchild.
It took a little while to adjust to riding the bus to the ferry, loading and unloading my bags and boxes into an Island Car that came with the cottage I rented.
Did I mention the view? Johnson Cove, the tide comes in and the tide goes out, both are beautiful … constant reminders of the never ending change and transitions in life.
I was snug as a bug in this south facing cottage in the middle of winter.
I knew a couple of people on the island or should I say they knew me and where I was. It was a beautiful adventure to be there and I was game.
I had a kind and curious neighbor who happened to be the Post Master. She took me under her wing and flew me around the island in her jeep so I could get my bearings. We enjoyed a good G &T, and walks and life talks.
One night my car alarm went off in my “cottage jeep” and she helped me disconnect the fuse so I / and she could get some sleep. I thought it was a fog horn blowing in the cove.
Come the end of February my family made it out to enjoy the beautiful little beaches, climbing on the rocks and consuming oysters from Bluff Head Oyster Company. We had a beautiful end of February day. And then COVID hit.
It was cosmic. I was on an island feeling very protected working remotely. Oh, and my neighbor graciously let me use her internet during the day while mine was being upgraded.
Internet service challenges are an island conundrum and this was graciously solved. Broad Band is now being installed!
There were many changes, the ferry schedule was reduced, the masking, the fear of being together (I didn’t really know that many people) so stayed 6 feet apart). Fortunately I made my bubble with my family in midcoast and we were able to share visits, stay connected and hug each other out of our anxiety.
The isolation kicked in a couple of months later and I said to myself “ what can I do to support this community” So many people were initiating efforts: the church, town, Covid Task Force, the Chebeague Island Transportation.
The Food Pantry came to mind and I found and followed the leader “Jen” and she brought me in and gave me some work to do. What a team of amazing women. What a force. They were on top of the needs and began providing a fresh food pantry offering which was affectionately named “Chebundance” . This allowed island residents to stay home and access fresh food.
I was the Lettuce and Sausage separator and very proud of that responsibility. Folks loved the green curly lettuce and the sausage links and patties. I knew I was going straight to the “heart of the matter”.
Behind the masks while we were serving outside in the spring and summer, inside all spread out in the winter, I saw eyes light up and I knew this service was making a difference.
And despite the fearful circumstances there was laughter and “stories” amongst the “Pantry Pals” Some that I cannot repeat OMG… .and we had code names so we would not be found out. I’ll just give one clue “golf course”. I think it was safe to say, food was our passion Eating, sharing recipes and serving, we did it all. And not without the support of the church and the community. Sometimes it takes a pandemic to change the name from “food panty” to “Chebundance”. Being with these gals was the highlight of my experience.
The paradox continued when the warm weather came in Summer 2020 - the cottages were somewhat uninhabited and I was able to stay in my “hood” and pay a nominal fee to an owner who otherwise wouldn’t have generated any income that summer. I guess you could say I kept the lights on or paid the taxes in exchange for having a very sweet experience kayaking on the cove with yet another very sweet view.
And yes, many miracles happened during the pandemic. I landed a rental for Sept to May that blew me away. So much synchronicity, support and surprise. When one of your food panty pals connects you with their neighbor and you get to rent a stellar home on the water from September to May - here’s the paradox - died and went to heaven!
Blessed beyond belief. So many parts of this move reminded me of a prior home I had built. It was so “homey” I asked for a lot of “pinches” to make sure I was really there!
Summer 2021 had my work cut out for me. Meeting people having not really been “out there” . Thank GOD for the Food Pantry. I did meet people there and I had a few guardian angels watching over me!
I landed a sweet summer antique cottage that I loved and cared for and supported me through the first 2.5 months. Turned out I was living in the “heart of Chebeague” surrounded by woods, deer, turkeys and bunnies and beautiful wild flowers.
I traveled and met new friends, sat on the beach and debriefed about the past 1.5 years. It was great to be able to breath in the salt air and connect! The mainland felt weird. You couldn’t visit freely. Not all stores were open, I was always anxious to get back to the island where I felt safe, seen and cared for.
The constant check ins and updates were helpful in navigating through this “strange time”.
Warm and kind hearts helped me to trust that I would make it through the summer and be able to return to my beautiful rental in September 2021 for at least one more winter.
At the end of the Summer I traveled back down to Johnson Cove and had a sweet experience a cottage/barn where I was taken back in time and also able to borrow my then “old neighbors” internet access. That summer was an adventure I will never forget.
A couple of homes came on the market. I gave them my “best offers” and a bit of my creative ideas. I gained a sense of patience and trust. I knew if I was meant to be “here” something would unfold.
And the Housing Coalition took force, in January 2021. The community realized that there was a need for a concerted effort. Wow what a sense of feeling seen and held.
It has been a journey, I have been present and the Universe is sending me off island :(
It is such a paradox - such a bitter sweet time. So much joy, and sorrow. So many memories made here with my family, I thought this was gonna be “my home” and “grandma’s home on the island”. I had this heart felt experience and I am grateful and sad to leave, hopeful I will return in some capacity.
I will see what the Universe has in store for me next…
A giant hug of Gratitude to all of my Island Angels and to the Mother “Rock” who holds space for so many through times of Joy and Sorrow. Each day a new blessed paradox unfolds!
Forever in my memory and my heart!