This was hard to read, Michele. Like the Crazy Rich Asian series, it stirred up lots of uncomfortable feelings: envy, anger, disgust, superiority, regret. It’s commendable that you recognize the pitfalls of your privileged lifestyle. Your carbon footprint must be enormous with all that jet setting. (You probably shouldn’t tell everyone in Portland about that!)

I grew up in a unique small university town that is the kind of place people dream about living: astonishing natural beauty, a childhood straight out of Norman Rockwell, but close enough the NYC for day trips. That was an amazing privilege.

The only problem with it is that I, and everyone I know from my hometown who left, is suffering from a lifelong case of homesickness. It’s incurable, too, because, although it’s still a great place to live, returning to live there is impossible because it’s a lot different than it was 50 years ago. Whenever we visit, which is often, we mourn what’s been lost and can never be regained. It’s also gotten too expensive for many of us. Lots of happy memories and good friends, though.