Will I remember what it was like to bike elevated above the sidewalks and watch the trees pass by against the Portland sky?
Will I remember the light blue tint of forest park, how, coming from that school, I volunteered at, the hill looks much bigger?
How UP is a different world than a mile away.
How going there Freshman year, I had forgotten, changed everything.
The ground on which I stood, the fleshy heart beating sobbing for a reality I had not known. Kids waking across cracked sidewalks carrying baggage of family situations and hardship but still dreaming.
Those kids so different than my upbringing, had been essential to leading me to this.
To leaving this school early to go serve people like them across the globe who may not see their future,
to commune again in Christian love.
And I, I left them.
The only things I regret from college not staying there to volunteer and not stepping up to be a Fish core team leader.
A reminder to never be comfortable according to the things you care about.
And what have I cared about here?
It’s been the best time of my life.
Christ changed everything, transformed me, supernaturally encountered me, gave me community that I didn’t know I needed, and an education for which I should be forever grateful.
Imprinted on these photos are my memories. I couldn’t help but make this project about them.
The memories with friends on campus at our new home away from home.
The quads where I stayed, the buildings that hold a smell and a meaning.
The memories with friends adventuring off campus at my new homes away from home away from home.
Always returning back to that city skyline.
Like Bailee’s farm house marked by Christ with sheep that show life precious.
Or that Oregon coast that never ceased to amaze.
The sun went down on our time here across the Pacific.
I looked on the open horizon where I’ll be in a month; Indonesia over there on the other side.
For my final shooting I rented a bike yet again from outdoor pursuits and rode to that k-8th grade school. Afterwards I thought, before returning the bike, why not capture some Christmas lights over in academic quad.
The beauty of a season, an ending of another. The UP family ready or not to return to their distinct destinations of childhood.
As I ride over, I see two new friends I met this semester. A reminder of the joy of a campus small enough.
I close in on the Mary statue to finish.
The new candles lit behind, warmth emitting.
I take the photos, and there comes Father Jim. I had yet to have a real conversation with him. He spoke at Leaven even before I started college, a hallmark of what it meant to be here each passing year.
He asks of my trip. I get to tell him.
A moment, like the countless my last semester, that God ordained, that God intended.
Full Circle.
Goodbye UP, goodbye Oregon, goodbye to the most incredible souls I was graced to meet.
This is for you
Sweet pics…when’s the graduation party?
Thank you Billy!!!!!! I don’t know if we are having one or not, we will see
Hannah so beautifully shared. Thank you.
Thank you so much Keith!!! Excited to see you soon
Thank you so much Shellee!!!
I’m proud of you, and will miss you. Be careful
Grandad, thank you, it means the world coming from you! I will miss you but see you soon over break
Hannah, Your photography is so expressive—truly tells a story, which is a difficult challenge in photography. Love your conceptual style, a style fitting for your artistic eye. A wonderful tribute to UP! Xo
Thank you so much Karen!!! It’s all coming up so soon!
Mary thank you so much!!! Love ya, and means a lot coming from such a good photographer, it’s fun to learn a new form of art!
Beautiful, Hannah. Sounds like UP has been a really sweet chapter in your story. I’m excited to see how God uses all of these experiences to shape you and use you over the next year. He has big plans for you and Culturevate!
Hannah, what a storyteller you are with your words and your photography! I could sense your love and your heart for a place that played a big part in your journey. God has amazing things in store for you, dear heart, but it is also good to look back with a grateful heart…just like you did here.