The Road Less Traveled

2:25:21 The Road Less Traveled

Truthfully, I miss my love affair with Portland. The small businesses, landmarks, cornerstones of commerce, parks, and other treasured places that provide comfort in knowing they have held history, value, purpose, and meaning in our town. For a few reasons I don’t commute as often as I used to and because of that I have especially missed meeting this stately beauty and seeing other comforting gems while traveling through corners of my city.

While working from home is a huge blessing because Propel is able to be such a virtual business, I do miss seeing people and all my favorite Portland spots, too. Zoom and good, strong wifi allows me to work from anywhere, connecting with clients and team members remotely, but if I’m being honest – I’m ready to begin shaking hands again and meeting face-to-face. Aren’t you?

But, it’s been hard to drive through this amazing city recently and my heart breaks even more with each pass-through. So much vacancy and homelessness, devastation and destruction has left my birthplace scarred and rejected. I have this image of Portlandia, head hung down and shoulders weary, tired from the battle. But she will rise again.

This treasure, my favorite of all river crossings in this bridge town, reminds me that although we may not travel across her roads as frequently these days, she is still there, standing tall, carrying the torch and providing an anchor passageway for those who will not abandon her.

To you, Portland, I say – be resilient. We need you and all your beauty to return stronger than ever once you’ve healed.

And to the regal St. John’s Bridge – thank you for standing strong for her, constant and unwavering. Even though you may be one of the roads less traveled for me, I have not left you either.

2 Comments

  1. Margie Waltz on March 1, 2021 at 2:04 pm

    Lovely Jamie! I ‘feel’ your words. 🙂



    • Jamie Teasdale on March 3, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      Hi Margie, I’m glad they resonated with you. 🙂



Jamie Teasdale

Jamie Teasdale founded Propel Businessworks, a small business development company, in 2009. Since then, she has been lending insight and creativity to businesses all over the U.S., giving them the tools they need to plan, promote, and prosper.

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