From my social media July 7,2025

It's been a minute since I shared much on here. I watched the sunrise not too long ago from the parkway and had planned on posting a couple pics from that always awesome experience. But it doesn't feel right. The world feels heavy right now. Images and videos from Texas inundate my feed and all the thoughts, the feels, the responses triggered from Helene are at the forefront of my mind, my heart, my body. I find myself holding my breath as I see more footage, and as hard as it is to watch, it's hard to look away too. Prayers, lots of prayers and wondering how to help, and then thinking of how WNC is still digging out, still recovering, still grieving. Guilt is real. Now more flooding in central NC. Nature is relentless. After Helene though, and through it all, I tried to look for the hope. I saw in the return of blue skies, and every hand that helped. It was there, in the silent compassion of a stranger's eyes. It's hard, to say the least, looking for the hope. And to tell someone to do that is about as crude as telling someone who just buried a loved one, that they're in a better place. It may be well intentioned, but it feels more like a slap. But for me, looking for the hope is what pushed me forward when it all felt like too much. So, I try to look for it, even if I don't want to. To look for the light penetrating the darkness. For the promise of tomorrow and I allow myself to embrace the moment and be embraced by our great creator who will hold my fears and anger, my anxiety and my hurts, If I'm willing to give them over. It doesn't make everything better, and it certainly doesn't fix anything, but I can stop holding my breath. I can breathe.

Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."