This made me so happy. I cannot explain how this captured my heart. I felt exactly the same way and continue to feel that way in countries I go back and visit, whether it's the US, or Indonesia. It's a weird warped feeling of home but thank heavens the relationships never change. Thank you for this.
Gosh, you know how much i enjoy your missives! So many Bay area memories. I, as you know am older ;-) I spent the 70's in Sonoma County and for a while SF. It was an "interesting" time to be there ;-) For many years I was on a 10 year cycle...18-28 in the Bay area, 28-38 at the beach in Santa Monica, 10 years in Detroit, well you get the picture!
I too miss friends and family in the US, but have zero desire to move back. Lisboa is home! We knew it 6 years ago the first time we walked around the city, and it is even stronger now 5 years later.
I once had writing dreams, now it's more of a fantasy, and I live it out through your writing. I have the time now, but not the motivation, and I seem comfortable in that space...a big part of that is you and your exuberant lust for sharing your innermost feelings.
Speaking of the 70's, I hit that milestone in a few weeks ;-) If you kids are by any chance going to be in Lisboa on the August 11th, I would love it if you joined a bunch of us celebrating...just let me know and I would be pleased to send you an actual invite!!
What timing! I’m visiting my son in SF as I read this. He introduced me to Karl this morning and I am amazed. I will be embracing my dear friend tomorrow as we share a hello and good bye-again-meal. And then head back to Chicago as we begin two weeks of good byes as we make our way to Portugal. Thank you for your words they make such sense to me.
You give voice to people everehere who have emmigrated from thrir homeland to plant their hearts somewhere new. After nearly five years in Portugal, I am gratified to finally experience the joy of burgeoning friendships that are feeling a lot like the ones I left in the US.
Wow. This is the warm embrace I so needed after recently returning to Sweden from New York City, where I had spent the past 30 years. You took the words right out of my mouth, as always.
Oh, LaDonna. Your words and that of your beautiful, insightful daughter are so resonant. I didn't move to Portugal but I did move to rural Vermont last year, which really does feel like the 1800s because that's when our place (and many around here) were built. Going back to the Bay Area still feels "normal," the operative word, but the perspective has changed, for which I'm grateful, since leaving the place I called "home" for 30 years was incredibly difficult. I well understand why the sights, sounds, flavors, and most importantly friends rekindle that spirit, that magic, that connection. How wonderful that Filha can both appreciate what she still loves and also recognize the growth she's experienced since moving to Portugal, both physically and emotionally. A wonderful blog. Many thanks for sharing.
“We” are very different people with very different experiences, and I will admit to being a bit (ha!) of a curmudgeon, but you have opened my eyes, broken some walls down, and I am in your debt. I know that’s pretty cryptic but rest assured it’s both a compliment and a bit of a love note from an OWG now on a visit back to Colorado. I’m jealous, not of the parade of exotic teas, but to the ferocity of your friendships. Thanks for the window into your world. Be happy, healthy, and keep writing.
I've been away from the West Coast much longer, and even though I'm still in the US, this makes me feel all the feels. Thank you for sharing your words and photos. They resonate strongly.
This is so incredibly wonderful. Thank you. I’m in Berkeley now for my regular two week return... seeing friends and eating Mexican food and remembering the good times tucked around work meetings and such. But in the end I agree, our home is in Sintra now and while we have years and years of memories tied to here, and we will always have a connection, we live somewhere else now. It has its own wonders and adventures for us to explore and remember!
thanks for sharing your visit back tot he city, I have been here 40+ years and have been trying to move to Portugal for the last 7, made many trips, but can't convince all the parties
This is so beautiful! I hope to meet you once we settle in Portugal (Seattlites getting ready to make the move). You’ve put into words many of the things I know I’ll be feeling because I have experienced them before.
This made me so happy. I cannot explain how this captured my heart. I felt exactly the same way and continue to feel that way in countries I go back and visit, whether it's the US, or Indonesia. It's a weird warped feeling of home but thank heavens the relationships never change. Thank you for this.
Gosh, you know how much i enjoy your missives! So many Bay area memories. I, as you know am older ;-) I spent the 70's in Sonoma County and for a while SF. It was an "interesting" time to be there ;-) For many years I was on a 10 year cycle...18-28 in the Bay area, 28-38 at the beach in Santa Monica, 10 years in Detroit, well you get the picture!
I too miss friends and family in the US, but have zero desire to move back. Lisboa is home! We knew it 6 years ago the first time we walked around the city, and it is even stronger now 5 years later.
I once had writing dreams, now it's more of a fantasy, and I live it out through your writing. I have the time now, but not the motivation, and I seem comfortable in that space...a big part of that is you and your exuberant lust for sharing your innermost feelings.
Speaking of the 70's, I hit that milestone in a few weeks ;-) If you kids are by any chance going to be in Lisboa on the August 11th, I would love it if you joined a bunch of us celebrating...just let me know and I would be pleased to send you an actual invite!!
Thanks for being you!!
We're on the cusp of launching 6 weeks from now. I really needed to read "distance does not deplete us. " Thank you for this intimate sharing.
What timing! I’m visiting my son in SF as I read this. He introduced me to Karl this morning and I am amazed. I will be embracing my dear friend tomorrow as we share a hello and good bye-again-meal. And then head back to Chicago as we begin two weeks of good byes as we make our way to Portugal. Thank you for your words they make such sense to me.
You give voice to people everehere who have emmigrated from thrir homeland to plant their hearts somewhere new. After nearly five years in Portugal, I am gratified to finally experience the joy of burgeoning friendships that are feeling a lot like the ones I left in the US.
Wow. This is the warm embrace I so needed after recently returning to Sweden from New York City, where I had spent the past 30 years. You took the words right out of my mouth, as always.
Thank you!
❤ ❤ ❤. The evocative words and all the smiles...
Oh, LaDonna. Your words and that of your beautiful, insightful daughter are so resonant. I didn't move to Portugal but I did move to rural Vermont last year, which really does feel like the 1800s because that's when our place (and many around here) were built. Going back to the Bay Area still feels "normal," the operative word, but the perspective has changed, for which I'm grateful, since leaving the place I called "home" for 30 years was incredibly difficult. I well understand why the sights, sounds, flavors, and most importantly friends rekindle that spirit, that magic, that connection. How wonderful that Filha can both appreciate what she still loves and also recognize the growth she's experienced since moving to Portugal, both physically and emotionally. A wonderful blog. Many thanks for sharing.
Absolutely adore your writing and stories. Thanks for sharing!
Loved this piece, you write beautifully.
“We” are very different people with very different experiences, and I will admit to being a bit (ha!) of a curmudgeon, but you have opened my eyes, broken some walls down, and I am in your debt. I know that’s pretty cryptic but rest assured it’s both a compliment and a bit of a love note from an OWG now on a visit back to Colorado. I’m jealous, not of the parade of exotic teas, but to the ferocity of your friendships. Thanks for the window into your world. Be happy, healthy, and keep writing.
Love the photos and the stories.
I've been away from the West Coast much longer, and even though I'm still in the US, this makes me feel all the feels. Thank you for sharing your words and photos. They resonate strongly.
This is so incredibly wonderful. Thank you. I’m in Berkeley now for my regular two week return... seeing friends and eating Mexican food and remembering the good times tucked around work meetings and such. But in the end I agree, our home is in Sintra now and while we have years and years of memories tied to here, and we will always have a connection, we live somewhere else now. It has its own wonders and adventures for us to explore and remember!
thanks for sharing your visit back tot he city, I have been here 40+ years and have been trying to move to Portugal for the last 7, made many trips, but can't convince all the parties
This is so beautiful! I hope to meet you once we settle in Portugal (Seattlites getting ready to make the move). You’ve put into words many of the things I know I’ll be feeling because I have experienced them before.