Monday, January 24, 2022

Favorite Hobby Memory

Over on her Facebook page for Khrysalis Studios, Rayvin Maddock has a post asking people to share their favorite hobby moment or memories.  I've been thinking about it.  There are so many I could easily share, but this one in particular sticks out.

(In the voice of Sophia, from The Golden Girls)

"Picture it, BreyerFest, 2019..."

I could, and should have, done posts about my first (and last - so far) BreyerFest. 

(I mentioned the saga, briefly, in this post: 2019 World Travel In Review.) 

The moment that popped to the front of my mind happened there, at the Artisan's Gallery. 


I was wandering around in the room, taking it all in.  I was in awe of seeing some of the artists and amazing horses, in person, for the first time.  I stopped at the table for Studio Thornrose and was looking at her work.  Kylee saw me, yelled "Bobbie!" then ran around the table and gave me a hug.  I confess, I was in shock.  Then she said something along the lines of, "I'm so glad you're back in the States.  I know you miss Japan, but we'll be your family now."  More shock on my end, haha. 

The next day, I think it was, I admitted to her that I didn't think she even knew who I was and I thanked her for what she had said.  It meant so much to me.  She said some more wonderful things and - as the saying goes - you could have knocked me over with a feather.  I was so excited to be at my very first BreyerFest, but also a bit overwhelmed by it all.  And yes, I was acutely missing Japan - having left there, to move away, just 10 days before. 

It was wonderful to see many friends, old and new, and meet several people for the first time - some I'd been talking to online for years, but had never met in person!  That moment, that night at the Artist's Gallery, jumps out, because Kylee made me feel SO welcome and included - and didn't even give me a chance to be shy and awkward (my default mode).

This is a meme I like and I do think it's something we should do.


Love you, Kylee!  Thank you, again.  You were right, in my case, I think my hobby family is the best family.    

And to anyone reading this, I love you, too!