Paris, Oregon
June 26, 2021
Two of my friends from First Tee — Nicole and Bruce — back in 2019 gave me a wonderful gift. An envelope to open when I got to each Paris (one envelope per Paris). The contents remind me why I am on my walkabout. I haven’t opened one in many months until yesterday. They all have meant so much to me but this one hit hard. Perhaps it was because I was surprised to find Paris, Oregon. Perhaps because it had been so long since I last opened one. Perhaps it was the Brene Brown quote. And perhaps it was the reminder that I am still here. You know the answer — it’s all of those plus the overwhelming joy of the great gift these two gave me.
I thought I’d post what I wrote to them.
Hi Nicole and Bruce-
I made it to Paris, Oregon! Other than Perris, California (which gets an * because it is spelled wrong) this is the París that is farthest from Charlottesville. It is even far when you get here; I’m 50 miles from civilization in all directions! I ended up sleeping here last night; fun to think when the last person slept in Paris, Oregon!
My story of how I got here is, at least to me, a good one — I’ll let you check out my blog in a couple of days.
I opened your París, Oregon envelope this morning. Thanks for making me cry. I cried because of the contents and I cried because you were so incredibly thoughtful to make these envelopes. You both have had such an impact on my life. I always danced around the edges of owning my story, willing to disown it if others thought poorly of it. Boy, how’s that for commitment and confidence? My walkabout has changed that. — perhaps it is sleeping in the back of a 2004 Sequoia with 310,000+ miles on it 🤪 — I clearly own my story now no matter what others might think. I may not achieve my goal of each day having a positive effect on someone’s life — for many days I don’t see anyone. But I am proud I’ve blown up my little tiny world and jumped in the deep end. Perhaps the deepest end? There are days when I tread water, but there are many more days where I swim with the dolphins. And I know when I talk about “going to Paris” to people (I was going to call them strangers but why do we call people that? They are not strange - at least most!) I can see the faces change when they understand the metaphor.
Thank you for the gifts you have given me. I’ve got my hand on my heart saying thank you. You are the best!
As I wrote this post, “Landslide“ played on my playlist. The lyrics fit my mood
I took my love, I took it down I climbed a mountain and I turned around And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky What is love? Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older And I'm getting older too
Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older And I'm getting older too Oh! I'm getting older too
Oh-oh, take my love, take it down Oh-oh, climb a mountain and you turn around And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills Well, the landslide bring it down And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills Well, the landslide bring it down Oh-ohh, the landslide bring it down
You’ll never read this WAC but those bold lyrics made me think of you. Thanks. Always 🧡💙.
