Ray

This morning I met Ray downtown. All the way from Tennessee, he's only been in Oregon 2 weeks and is still trying to get his bearings. Truthfully, Ray seemed lost and very uncertain about his situation. We talked for a bit and I asked what brought him to Oregon. "Because of my girl," he said with a gentle Tennessee accent. "She's here and I need to be here, too." I asked if he had plans and a place to stay. "Working on it all," he said, as he sheepishly looked me in the eyes, conveying a lack of confidence and an introverted nature the likes of which I am all too familiar.

I wish Ray well. Welcome to Oregon.