on facing my fears

I was a scared kid. Even as a teenager, I worried about the dark, fires, murderers…the list goes on. When my parents first visited the McKittrick, they told me all about it – the mystery, the stories, the drama. They knew it was something I would love. “But you’d be too scared,” they added.

That was eight years ago. I’m an adult now, and am still anxious. But when my brother wanted to visit the McKittrick, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

I would love to say I boldly faced my fears and ran into the darkness. But I’ve never been that kind of person. I stumbled, clung to the bright areas, and backed out when things got too intense.

But I also loved it more than even my parents thought I would. And I did push myself out of my comfort zone, at least a little bit. As I wandered down dark hallways and towards menacing sounds, I found myself a little bit less scared.

More than anything, I’m grateful that the McKittrick ended up being a place where my inner scared kid could have an experience she had dreamt about for years. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and I was so thoroughly entranced that I know I’ll be drawing and writing about the stories I saw in the hotel for many years to come. May the hotel live in forever in the hearts of the guests and staff, and may I always dream of the Manderley <3