Hi Shanna, It's been really interesting following your trip to see your family in San Diego. This line that you wrote, 'physical distance from family and friends does not equal emotional distance' really resonates for me. Ed and I just moved to France and its all new figuring out how to stay close and involved emotionally with my loved ones back in Oregon. So far, I think we are managing through calls, texts, zooms etc. Of course its not the same as being around for daily happenings. But, it's the way it needs to be for my husband and I to live in a place that puts us at ease and at the same time stimulates our senses and gives us renewed energy to live, not just exist. Thank you for always sharing your experiences in a way that is open and honest. I hope you know how much you help others in so many ways as you boldly live and share your truth.
In addition, the idea of where your "home" exists is the same for me as you describe for yourself. I do not refer to Portland as "home" anymore. Bordeaux is "home", it is where I exist daily with my husband and pooch in our cozy little apartment. As the saying goes 'home is where you hang your hat'.
Well, there’s a tension between what you want and know is right for you and general reality. True, you’ve been searching and away from the US for three years, which is a drop in the ocean compered to the years you lived here as a US citizen.
To you, Portugal, not the US, is your home. And that’s reasonable. In reality, (and probably always to your native Portuguese neighbors), you have gone ‘home’—you will not be at home there for many, many years.
You’ve been successful at changing your citizenship and purchasing a home, making commitments and friends, and doubtless you’ll be there for many years, but Shanna, just like people have to live in Maine for a few generations before they’re anything like Mainers, they’ll always be “from away” just as you are where you now live in Portugal.
I think you have discovered a lot about being with people—it isn’t necessary to maintain physical closeness, as it’s purely, as you say, an emotional thing, the people themselves, not their surroundings . You can maintain that at a distance. You’ll be home again soon, and you’ll continue to embrace the life changes you’ve made! Enjoy your family and give them as much help as you can.
Home is a relative term. It's good to hear that you're enjoying where you are now and the time with your mother and brother! Safe travels on your return!
Yep. 100%. I finally came home for the first time in my life at the age of 50. I’ve given up trying to rationalise WHY Scotland is home, and the place I grew up isn’t. Familiar, but not home. As an aside, I get really irked by the whole birth right thing. I see a HUGE sense of entitlement from certain folks about being entitled to have a say and a stake in the place that they grew up, even if they don’t actually live there any more! Some of them seem to think that ‘Accidental Geography’ gives them some kind of right than deep feelings and physical presence don’t.
INSPIRING! Wonderful!
Hi Shanna, It's been really interesting following your trip to see your family in San Diego. This line that you wrote, 'physical distance from family and friends does not equal emotional distance' really resonates for me. Ed and I just moved to France and its all new figuring out how to stay close and involved emotionally with my loved ones back in Oregon. So far, I think we are managing through calls, texts, zooms etc. Of course its not the same as being around for daily happenings. But, it's the way it needs to be for my husband and I to live in a place that puts us at ease and at the same time stimulates our senses and gives us renewed energy to live, not just exist. Thank you for always sharing your experiences in a way that is open and honest. I hope you know how much you help others in so many ways as you boldly live and share your truth.
In addition, the idea of where your "home" exists is the same for me as you describe for yourself. I do not refer to Portland as "home" anymore. Bordeaux is "home", it is where I exist daily with my husband and pooch in our cozy little apartment. As the saying goes 'home is where you hang your hat'.
Well, there’s a tension between what you want and know is right for you and general reality. True, you’ve been searching and away from the US for three years, which is a drop in the ocean compered to the years you lived here as a US citizen.
To you, Portugal, not the US, is your home. And that’s reasonable. In reality, (and probably always to your native Portuguese neighbors), you have gone ‘home’—you will not be at home there for many, many years.
You’ve been successful at changing your citizenship and purchasing a home, making commitments and friends, and doubtless you’ll be there for many years, but Shanna, just like people have to live in Maine for a few generations before they’re anything like Mainers, they’ll always be “from away” just as you are where you now live in Portugal.
I think you have discovered a lot about being with people—it isn’t necessary to maintain physical closeness, as it’s purely, as you say, an emotional thing, the people themselves, not their surroundings . You can maintain that at a distance. You’ll be home again soon, and you’ll continue to embrace the life changes you’ve made! Enjoy your family and give them as much help as you can.
Home is a relative term. It's good to hear that you're enjoying where you are now and the time with your mother and brother! Safe travels on your return!
Yep. 100%. I finally came home for the first time in my life at the age of 50. I’ve given up trying to rationalise WHY Scotland is home, and the place I grew up isn’t. Familiar, but not home. As an aside, I get really irked by the whole birth right thing. I see a HUGE sense of entitlement from certain folks about being entitled to have a say and a stake in the place that they grew up, even if they don’t actually live there any more! Some of them seem to think that ‘Accidental Geography’ gives them some kind of right than deep feelings and physical presence don’t.