This morning I read Steve Duin's column in today's paper about missing his daughter who has moved across the country to go to college. It was very touching, and after I finished I folded the paper and was like, "you mean they LEAVE?"
Which got me thinking about my parents, and how nine years and a few days ago I was at the home I grew up in having very, very cold feet about moving to Oregon the next day. My car was packed, and it was close to bedtime. I confessed my doubts to my mother, and she very reasonably pointed out that if I didn't like it I could always come back. So on 9/16/99 my dad and I finally arrived in Portland in my '97 Nissan Sentra. I will never forget the dread I felt as the city came into view on I-84.
It took a while to find my place here in Portland, but eventually I did, and nine years later I know a couple of things for sure:
1. These have been the happiest years of my adult life.
2. I will always miss my parents, and my family, and Arkansas.
I am also very glad it's going to be a while before Anneke thinks about moving across the country.
6 comments:
you moved here in a sentra? So did I, but mine was an '85. I miss that car.
Glad you moved to Portland! It wouldn't be the same without you here.
When Juliette moves away, we're just going to move with her. Maybe then I'll finally get outa the midwest.
You belong in Portland. As much as we all hate that it's so far away...we love that you are so happy.
I like Kansas City, I love Kansas City, it's a great city....I belong in Kansas City....
It's not working. Dang it!
Well, we're sure glad you made the cross-country move!
Dave's shirt is inappropriate for a family blog.
That Sentra is sitting in front of our house right now! it won't start. we're too broke to fix it :)
I don't know if it's going to be years. In that second picture Anneke sure looks like she's itchin' to go somewhere.
Mary, it's just Nature. Unicorn Nature.
Post a Comment