led by faith ~

sacred oregon. my heart will always long for you. nearly three years ago, you welcomed me home with a love I wasn't anticipating in the slightest. I passionately explored your beauty. mile after mile, I walked your streets. from belmont to hawthorne to division to tabor to laurelhurst to the pearl, downtown and everywhere in-between. day after day, I found myself in awe of your offerings. the anticipation of the changing of seasons invited me to visit the japanese garden to admire the fall foliage, knowing that the restful period of winter would bring about stunning pink and white cherry blossoms in springtime. and how I couldn't get enough of your summers. the dry, hot air, and sunshine. the smell of roses filling my nostrils at the garden incited in me a remembrance of my own inner beauty. I appreciated every moment I was given to close my eyes and receive the joy and delight those moments exuded. I sought out every sunset and waterfall, becoming accustomed to the rainfall and mist that greeted the pacific northwest skies for days, weeks and months on end. I ventured to try every kind of food and cuisine imaginable, and explored every park and green space around. my camera became my best friend, my lifeline. the tool that allowed me to freeze time and my place in it. I traveled and traveled - taking getaways to the oregon coastline to become acquainted with quiet beach towns along highway 101. stopping at highway pulloffs I'd wait and listen for the waves to return to shore. the deep forest became my playground. I'd purposefully get lost, losing track of time, only to be met by the chirping of birds above and glimmers of sunlight that found the gaps in the douglas firs resting above. how I love the trees. never in my wildest dreams did I think a kid from connecticut would make it out west, finding a place in the world unlike he'd ever known or experienced before. your dreams truly await you on the other side of fear. this precious life is fleeting, for we never truly know how much time we have. to grieve and to have lost is a gift that's allowed me to recognize that all we have is this one inhale and exhale. take that leap :^)