10.23.23 // Bye Bend

Bend, Oregon.
.
I wrote a series of reflections on Bend earlier this year, tracing my journey from initial enchantment in 2019 to a deep infatuation during my visits in November 2022. It was a whirlwind love affair with this high desert, where open skies and the scent of sagebrush on the breeze lured me in, beckoning me to call it home.
.
When I took the plunge to relocate to Bend in December 2022 and signed my first lease on December 12th, I had only a vague notion of what this place would become for me. I knew what I needed, but little did I realize that I would soon be seeking refuge in this arid landscape, yearning for the dry desert as tidal waves of truth crashed upon me.
.
As time passed, I've come to see Bend for what she truly was: a sanctuary, a place of profound surrender, safety, and courage. Here, I rediscovered myself, battled the surging tides of life, and found solace on her desert sands. Bend cradled me gently, granting me the strength to stand once more and avoid being pulled back into the turbulent sea.
.
She will forever hold a place in my heart as a home.
.
But life is seldom as straightforward as remaining in one place. The sands shift, the waters grow calm, and the winds alter course. The winds altered my course.
.
And so, I'm bidding farewell to Bend and embarking on a journey to Seattle.
.
No longer fearing the ocean, I'll reside by her side with courage, safety, and an unwavering sense of self. I'm running towards an unexpected reality, beyond even my wildest dreams. I'll continue to surrender and trust myself, this wild universe, and the incredible game of life.
.
While I'll miss the secure sands of Bend and the little green house that bolstered my resolve, a new chapter in my life awaits.
.
See you in Seattle!