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I first moved to Portland Oregon in 1959 with my parents. I was in third or fourth grade at the time. I never knew the grotto existed until one day when my parents drove by the entrance, yet I still never got to visit until I became a teenager.
I used to walk to many parts of Portland to catch the bus to where I wanted to go. One time I took off with my dog, we went walking from 148th and Sandy
to 82nd Street. I found myself by The Grotto so I went in, and my dog and I explored the back woods of The Grotto.
I remember I ran straight into one of the priests. He said I shouldn't be in the backwoods, but me being a teen, just said okay and went on my way.
I found myself in the front part of The Grotto where the big statue of Jesus with his cross was. I remember the peace I felt as I sat down by the statue.
I have never forgotten The Grotto. I no longer live in Portland, but I have such
memories of The Grotto. Many times I would walk there by myself and just sit in the outside church area where Mother Mary was, and just absorb the beauty of the place.
I would often go there if I was upset of troubled with life. The place became my sanctuary through my teen years.
Thank you for letting me share a part of my memories of The Grotto.
Below: The Christus Statue, where Patti sat in her teen years.
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