Yesterday Iain and I returned to the Acton-Boxborough community where we previously lived in our converted barn and raised Dylan for the first eleven years of her life. We had been invited to create an exhibit at Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough (our sixth library) for the month of September, but first we had to make a side trip to Cape Cod.

A year ago I received an email from Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry of UCC Boxborough after she had seen the exhibit at Ocean Alliance. She asked if I would be willing to bring the portraits to the Acton-Boxborough community, and she was surprised to learn that we had been there previously at Acton Memorial Library. Luckily there have been plenty of new subjects since then, so I knew I could provide a whole new exhibit. She secured Sargent Memorial Library as a host, and collaborated with Acton Boxborough United Way to maximize the community outreach.

Yesterday we had to go the long long way to Acton via Hyannis, to pick up the exhibit at Cape Cod Mall, driving a van through Boston at rush hour. It was exciting when the Waze app took us THROUGH LOGAN AIRPORT as the fastest way to drive through the city. Iain fought off all of the maniacal drivers while I did nothing but make sure we stayed cool in the 90 degree temps and make wailing sounds if someone started to veer too close. Luckily the van was empty at that point.

We made it to the mall and learned how hot a van can get at a loading dock in those temps. Luckily we had heroic help at the other end from old friends (thanks Suzanne, Dave and Jennifer!) and we transformed an empty function room into a mental health awareness exhibit that kind of surprised all of us.

On Tuesday September 20th at 7 pm there will be a reception, thanks to sponsors Sargent Memorial Library, UCC Boxborough and Acton Boxborough United Way, with additional resources from the NAN Project. A big thank you to Rev. Cindy for making this happen!

Stay tuned because in the coming months we’ll be heading to Albany, NY and the Massachusetts State House!