For the majority of my life, I have reveled in a largely solitary passing of time. I always had a handful of close friends that I adored, but for me, a few was & is enough. We were all of the same sentiment: seeing each-other every few days or every few weeks (regularity, of course, depends on mine + my other friend’s preferences) was & is quite satisfactory.
My time living in SanFrancisco was rare as it was naturally exceptionally social. I met so many people whom I found immensely interesting & fun, as well as endeavors & observations (so much public art!) to thoroughly enjoy together. Not to mention, that the best friends I made there initially, I met at my co-working space. Inevitably, as a result, I saw them many days a week while working, and then very often, after work as well.
Solitude was nearly non-existent. We regularly slept at each other’s houses, to pay for 1 cab home (battling the immense SF living expenses ((Even then – nearly 9 years ago))). There were ample & divers new arrivals (people & activities) to enjoy consistently.
As a result, my sociality blossomed. How could it not!? The tenants in 2 of the 3 rooms of our apartment changed while I lived there (1 & 1/2 years). I befriended 4 amazing women as a result of my habitat alone. Once I departed, all 3 rooms’ tenants within our mission district apartment had altered, in 1.75 years. How incredibly SanFranciscan.
My time living in SF was inevitably cut short by my incurrence of the severe TBI, which for the initial three years of my recovery, I deeply mourned. Now, however, in retrospect (20/20) I’ve realized that it was in-fact perfect timing for me to re-locate. SF friends have told me, that before leaving for the yoga camp, I was already planning to relocate (much closer to SF. I love the people I met there!) Likely, I would’ve relocated to the east bay = Oakland.
Inevitably, (all it takes is time!) the culture of the bay has grandly changed. As a result, very nearly all of my friends have relocated. The constant evolution of SF was so exciting to be in the middle of, while I was living there! Enjoying ample activity, was extremely appropriate for the substantial amount of energy I embodied at that time (26 – 27.5 years old). Now, given the catastrophic injuries I’ve endured, the lengthy recovery process that I continue to persistently pursue and my final departure from fine dining waitressing = me enjoying living in SF, is no longer possible in the near future.
I am a bit disheartened, as living in SF is MUCH more expensive now & as a result the city has begun (from my perspective) to resemble the wealthy suburb I grew up in/on = Mercer Island (which has never accurately represented my families means, my personal means, or my parents’ priorities).They passed their priorities down to me. I now proudly & fondly retain them.
Mercer Island (MI as islanders refer to it) was a phenomenal place to grow up (thank you Tese & Mom!)= incredibly safe & fantastic schooling. As I grew older, I became aware of, and bothered by, the grand disparity between me & my classmates means. I’m extremely used to being unknowingly lumped in with this affluent community now. The result is a bit of bitterness, as I detest being misunderstood but I must say, that the knowledge gained in the lucrative MI school system, has served me grandly & I expect will life long.
As a clan (family) we’ve all found far more fulfillment in loving what we do, rather than making ample $ doing it & our callings aren’t lucrative. Once experiencing loving what I do, (like my parents) I am not, nor do I ever expect to be, propelled by $. Needless to say, I’m certainly not rollin in the doe now! Social security is wonderful for funding the basics and I’m mighty grateful for it, but it’s far from generous. As a result, I am endlessly great full for the support I recieve from loved ones.
Needless to say, once being released from the final hospital I inhabited (after being sent to 3 hospitals, for nearly a year) I was then was sent to stay with my nurturing aunt, uncle & cousins at their home in Santa Rosa, CA (close to CPMC, my final hopital) and then to live in my parent’s homes.
Now, I’m considering moving to Birch Bay or Blaine to finish composing my memoir. I intend to return to silence, for however long it takes!