Beautiful, enjoyable, smart, and delightful writing as usual, I can feel so related to it in many ways. It’s a pleasure to reading you always. Always expecting the next one. But this was one of your best in my humble opinion.
I left Uruguay at 16 and at 26 I went back, specifically because the “what would have happened had I stayed?” thoughts won over. Along the way, I found something else.
Clara, I finally watched Past Lives last night. Despite being so late to see the movie, I remembered you raving about it in the newsletter (a compliment in and of itself, let’s not discuss how often I can’t recall things) so scrolled through the archives to find this outstanding and insightful post. I learned a lot from reading it (thankfully not about geography, which is not my strongest subject but one I’m not failing compared to the low bar set by your coworker) and have an even deeper appreciation of this extraordinary film because of your perspective. Thank you.
I rewatched the scene where she says “And I feel so not Korean when I’m with him. But also, in some way, more Korean?” 96728 times. The whole movie was so perfect! Also highly recommend the NYTimes article on “Cultural Bereavement” by Alisha Haridasani Gupta.
Just wanted to say thank you for a beautiful and interesting read! I moved abroad as an adult and my children were born here, have dual citizenships, speak multiple language etc. I've always brought them back "home" during the holidays (june-sep). Their experience (and mine) is different from yours, of course, but I loved reading about yours !
This is a far deeper reflection than most, obviously, and thusly a more fascinating read. We all reflect on what might have been but ultimately it is just the stuff of idle wonderment because we conclude, simply, it is what it is. I suppose you are constantly confronted with the wide-eyed who say, with faux empathy, I can’t imagine how you grew up as you did…so untethered. You have responded too many time to count—it was what it was.
I am heartened by your lack of trauma in this, which might more typically be expressed or implied. Your creative bent may have helped you to see and adapt. Your strength is evident. As is your pride in your story. I loved this piece more than any other, and thank you for sharing.1
Wow, this struck so many chords with me. I wasn't a child when I emigrated, but at 20 I hadn't been an adult for long. I've since lived in eight different countries and have often reflected on who I'd be if I wasn't always the one to leave. And more importantly, I wonder how my kids will be affected by their itinerant childhoods. I was also slightly broken by the stunning Past Lives... Thank you for this beautiful reflection on lives lived in multiple places.
‘I had to tell him, to his bewilderment, that in July, when it was summer in the northern hemisphere, it was winter below the equator. For a brief, dazzling moment, I was an accidental Earth and Space teacher’ 😂😂
Reminds me of when I worked at Goldmans in NY for a year and when I told a colleague I was from South Africa he went blank and asked ‘Where is that?!!’
ehm, there is a *small* clue in the name my friend
This is a beautiful reflection on the journey of immigrant children. My husband emigrated from El Salvador when he was 7, and I forced him to listen to me read this essay out loud because I saw his own experience mirrored here. I am the child of parents who emigrated from Cuba in their teens (so naturally I’m from Florida), and I’m a third culture kid (lived in various countries overseas from 12-17 years, when I came back for college) and also echoed many of your thoughts.
Clara--Emergency! The "share" link to LinkedIn is broken. That's where I hang out when I'm milling around in my professional network-- and I share your work from time to time--and keep hoping I will one day be able to "tag" you and see your name in bold font.
What a fascinating, beautifully written (because, of course) piece. One of your most enjoyable reads--layer upon layer upon layer of insight offered, almost suspensefully, to the reader. I never, ever, tire of your brilliant writting. What a bonus that you share such deeply meaningful observations and that they can resonate across generations. I'm 72, have a similar style of writing and self-reflection, and always find your own slices of memoir meaningful. (Soo Uruguayan.) Thank you Clara.
An exquisite and mature reflection of the perennial melancholy of the migrant psyche. Some Cortazar overtones from "Rayuela". Bravo!
Beautiful, enjoyable, smart, and delightful writing as usual, I can feel so related to it in many ways. It’s a pleasure to reading you always. Always expecting the next one. But this was one of your best in my humble opinion.
I left Uruguay at 16 and at 26 I went back, specifically because the “what would have happened had I stayed?” thoughts won over. Along the way, I found something else.
I loved reading this, thank you for writing it
Gracias!! 💚💚
Clara, I finally watched Past Lives last night. Despite being so late to see the movie, I remembered you raving about it in the newsletter (a compliment in and of itself, let’s not discuss how often I can’t recall things) so scrolled through the archives to find this outstanding and insightful post. I learned a lot from reading it (thankfully not about geography, which is not my strongest subject but one I’m not failing compared to the low bar set by your coworker) and have an even deeper appreciation of this extraordinary film because of your perspective. Thank you.
This makes me so happy, thank you for coming back and letting me know! x
I rewatched the scene where she says “And I feel so not Korean when I’m with him. But also, in some way, more Korean?” 96728 times. The whole movie was so perfect! Also highly recommend the NYTimes article on “Cultural Bereavement” by Alisha Haridasani Gupta.
Just wanted to say thank you for a beautiful and interesting read! I moved abroad as an adult and my children were born here, have dual citizenships, speak multiple language etc. I've always brought them back "home" during the holidays (june-sep). Their experience (and mine) is different from yours, of course, but I loved reading about yours !
This was beautiful Clara, thank you for sharing <3
Thank you so much, Mackenzie! xx
This is a far deeper reflection than most, obviously, and thusly a more fascinating read. We all reflect on what might have been but ultimately it is just the stuff of idle wonderment because we conclude, simply, it is what it is. I suppose you are constantly confronted with the wide-eyed who say, with faux empathy, I can’t imagine how you grew up as you did…so untethered. You have responded too many time to count—it was what it was.
I am heartened by your lack of trauma in this, which might more typically be expressed or implied. Your creative bent may have helped you to see and adapt. Your strength is evident. As is your pride in your story. I loved this piece more than any other, and thank you for sharing.1
Defying all your expectations I did in fact read your newsletter. Thanks for the shoutout :)
Wow, this struck so many chords with me. I wasn't a child when I emigrated, but at 20 I hadn't been an adult for long. I've since lived in eight different countries and have often reflected on who I'd be if I wasn't always the one to leave. And more importantly, I wonder how my kids will be affected by their itinerant childhoods. I was also slightly broken by the stunning Past Lives... Thank you for this beautiful reflection on lives lived in multiple places.
‘I had to tell him, to his bewilderment, that in July, when it was summer in the northern hemisphere, it was winter below the equator. For a brief, dazzling moment, I was an accidental Earth and Space teacher’ 😂😂
Reminds me of when I worked at Goldmans in NY for a year and when I told a colleague I was from South Africa he went blank and asked ‘Where is that?!!’
ehm, there is a *small* clue in the name my friend
This is a beautiful reflection on the journey of immigrant children. My husband emigrated from El Salvador when he was 7, and I forced him to listen to me read this essay out loud because I saw his own experience mirrored here. I am the child of parents who emigrated from Cuba in their teens (so naturally I’m from Florida), and I’m a third culture kid (lived in various countries overseas from 12-17 years, when I came back for college) and also echoed many of your thoughts.
wow, some much for me to revisit and digest. Thank you for writing this.
Clara, so interesting that there is subset of us eldest-daughters immigrated-as-children girlies who walked into that movie and cried.
Clara--Emergency! The "share" link to LinkedIn is broken. That's where I hang out when I'm milling around in my professional network-- and I share your work from time to time--and keep hoping I will one day be able to "tag" you and see your name in bold font.
What a fascinating, beautifully written (because, of course) piece. One of your most enjoyable reads--layer upon layer upon layer of insight offered, almost suspensefully, to the reader. I never, ever, tire of your brilliant writting. What a bonus that you share such deeply meaningful observations and that they can resonate across generations. I'm 72, have a similar style of writing and self-reflection, and always find your own slices of memoir meaningful. (Soo Uruguayan.) Thank you Clara.