Ashland’s petite size (population: 21,056) & more sun (198 days of full sun per year) where as my home, Seattle, where I reside currently, is far too big for me now & only offers 152 days of full sun. A slight increase in sunny days, may not seem like much to those who experience them frequently, but it staves off my newly developed depression! Ashland may be perfect for me now. (Heat doesn’t propel me & instead causes my stagnation, genetically) so its moderate climate (aside from the summers in Ashland = too hot? To be seen…But there’s only 1 way to truly find out! I’ve visited there twice, so now living there for a bit, will be the ultimate test.
My adoration of big cities has flown (at least for the time being). I’ve now learned not to presuppose that the vast majority of my life will be consistent with what I’m experiencing presently, or with what was once true. Life can change entirely in a moment (as it did with me, nearly 9 years ago) when I incurred my Severe TBI.
Resultantly, my inclinations have altered grandly too. I’m aware that the grand time that’s passed within this lengthy recovery (nearly 9 years now) ensures change as well. After-all, I’ve been recovering for nearly a decade! All of my neurologists now say (recent research has illuminated) that this recovery will transpire over the rest of my lifetime. Their statement now agrees with what my dad, Tese, has always said, from my incurrence. I have now personally witnessed over many years, that this is surely the case!
And thank goodness! I would hate to be stuck where I am now! I now see the impatience of our culture, and even more so, of my age group (young adults) in-particular. It takes a LONG time, for magnificent things to manifest! If you don’t employ patience, you’ll miss the resulting wonder.
I refuse. Well I don’t really have a choice…essentially, the choice is to live or die, but I’ve already been through my suicidal phase (which all recipients of Severe TBIs battle), which I find heartbreaking, as I know (1st hand) how unbelievably taxing & wretchedly miserable this recovery can be…for many, many years.
But! for all of my life, and presently too, I’ve known that the quality of my life is of the utmost importance. Hence discovering multiple places (traveling – extremely minimally & on an incredibly stringent budget!) to find an ideal environment for me now. It seems that Ashland may be that place. Setting is a large component of my happiness.
Ashland lies between Seattle and SF (much closer to SF => ideal weather for me). Ashland is also an artists town = the vast majority of residents enjoy art of all kinds and many are, simultaneously, passionate about creating their own art, just as I am & will be when living there. This reality equates to an abundance of artistic beauty (of all kinds!), which I adore, as it delights & inspires me. As you can see from the image atop of this post, Ashland is stunningly naturally beautiful.
The people of Ashland too, are very kind & laid back. I’ve visited twice & each time have met multiple, incredibly helpful & giving strangers.