Letter Twenty-three | 12/12 | Russ
Portland
Dear Lack,
When I wrote my last letter I was sitting at a restaurant in the Cape Town International Airport (I didn’t mention this to you then, because I wanted to surprise Kiana). Now I’m in Portland. It’s cold. I’ve been wearing the same clothes for three days. I had to run through Schiphol to make my connecting flight, and was, quite literally, the last person they allowed on the plane. I made it (barely), but sadly my luggage did not. I have to go back to PDX in a few hours to collect my bags.
Matt and Nat picked me up from the airport. When I saw them I sprinted down through the terminal, leapt toward them, and gave each a strong, affectionate hug and kiss on the head. A few folks made some kind remarks about our greeting. You can expect something similar when I see you in a few weeks.
Kiana was surprised, of course. It’s amazing how good it feels to be back together in person despite speaking every single day. We know all about each other’s day-to-day experiences, understand the rhythms and dramas of our working and social lives. But physical presence is something altogether different. It’s nice. I’m happy to be back.
I read your last letter shortly after waking up this morning. Postmodern is a term I’m familiar with, but, as you explain so passionately in your previous letter, its meaning has become murky. If you asked me before reading your last letter what the term postmodern meant I might have said something like: I’m not sure, new maybe. That’s probably because of its overuse. I’m constantly impressed and thankful for you and your ability to make these things digestible and understandable. So—thank you, my friend.
Tomorrow I’m going to watch Argentina/Croatia with Matt and Zach. It’s amazing to me that we could see a repeat of the final of four years ago. The term “Golden Generation” is overused, but for a country like Croatia (which has a smaller population than Oregon) to make it this far in the Cup again is astonishing. Nevertheless, I think it’s safe to say that we’ll both be cheering for Argentina.
I apologize for the short letter after you just sent something so wonderful and robust. But I’m still tired and have a lot of people to catch up with, even today.
The next one will almost certainly be longer, I promise!
With love,
Russ