Chapter 20
The New York exhibition was a resounding,
unequivocal triumph,
cementing my status as a leading,
influential voice in the contemporary photography world.
When I finally returned to the quiet,
foggy sanctuary of Carmel,
I felt a deep,
profound sense of spiritual,
and artistic,
completion.
I walked into my rustic,
wooden barn studio,
breathing in the familiar,
comforting scent of darkroom chemicals,
and old,
weathered timber.
I looked at the original,
battered Canon DSLR camera,
which still sat proudly on the top shelf of my desk,
a silent,
metal witness to my entire,
incredible transformation.
It had been my sword,
my shield,
and my ultimate,
saving grace,
when I was drowning in the cold,
suffocating expectations of my youth.
A few days later,
a young,
nervous girl walked into the local cafe,
carrying a sketchpad,
and a cheap,
plastic point-and-shoot camera.
She looked lost,
insecure,
and desperate for a sign that her artistic dreams were actually,
truly valid.
I saw the familiar,
haunted reflection of my younger self in her wide,
anxious eyes.
I walked over to her table,
introducing myself with a gentle,
encouraging smile,
and I asked to see her portfolio.
Her photographs were messy,
unfocused,
but they possessed a raw,
undeniable spark of genuine,
passionate talent.
I told her that she had a brilliant,
unique eye,
and I offered to let her assist me in my studio,
providing her with the mentorship,
and the absolute belief,
that Ruth had once so generously given to me.
The girl burst into sudden,
grateful tears,
nodding her head with frantic,
eager enthusiasm,
and I felt the beautiful,
healing circle of my life finally close.
I stepped out of the cafe,
walking hand-in-hand with Elias toward the crashing,
blue ocean,
and I felt the warm,
California sun on my face.
I had built a kingdom out of ashes,
and I had forged a family out of choice,
rather than toxic,
obligatory bloodlines.
I was a seed that had been buried in the dark,
cold earth,
but I had relentlessly,
stubbornly pushed my way toward the light.
And now,
standing on the edge of the vast,
endless world,
I was completely,
May you like
beautifully,
and eternally in bloom.
