an ode to Oregon

A little over a month ago I landed in Zurich, Switzerland with six large pieces of luggage and a conflicted heart. I have spent the past 19 years living in Oregon and, while I am a missionary kid who spent the first 8 years living off and on in Kenya, I call Oregon home. Despite the heaviness of leaving what I loved I was also so excited to step into what was new and unfamiliar. I enjoy existing in the unfamiliar. But for now I want to settle into the familiar and write about Oregon.

I'm more homesick here (in Germany) than I would have anticipated. Because I love to travel and explore other places I expected the homesickness to settle in later than it has. Part of that is that I am actively going through London Fog withdrawal.

I think most coffee shops don't carry Earl Grey tea and the number of blank stares I get when I ask for a London Fog is getting to be comical. I miss getting a London Fog from Broadway or Archive.

Who knew that what would kick off my homesickness would be a drink. But here we are, six weeks into 2 years and I miss Oregon. Partly that is because it has been cold and rainy here for the past week. We've been in the mid 50's with colder wind and rainy days. It feels like Oregon...and I'm not in Oregon.

I look out at the hills filled with evergreens and am transported to the memories of driving through the forests of Oregon. I step outside to chilly weather where a rain jacket is a necessity and not a fashion statement and I actively feel my heart clench.

Oregon is filled with things that I love. Cozy coffee shops, long winding roads through forests, beaches that are wild and windy, hiking aplenty, lush berry fields, flowers...I could go on.

I specifically sought out a photographer who would be willing to drive to the Oregon Coast with me and take pictures of me there. The mix of the beach and the forest and golden sun was perfect that day and I'm so thankful I have these pictures to look back on. I'm new enough to living in Germany that most of my heart still belongs to Oregon. There will come a day, I think, that my heart will also feel like it belongs to Germany. I'm actually looking forward to that day when I walk outside of my little German apartment and breathe deeply and feel at home.

But I'm not there yet.

Oregon has the monopoly on home right now. While I miss the place of Oregon I also miss the people of Oregon. My best friend, my family, my church, my small group: people who have shaped me and watched me grow and change. I wouldn't be here in Germany if it wasn't for a lot of phenomenal people in Oregon. And I'm thankful.

So here's to Oregon, a state in the PNW that holds most of my favorite things. I miss you.

And here's to the next 2 years in Germany, I'm sure I'll love you too.

Love,

Cayla