Confident that I would make it to my intended destination, I wandered with determination, faith and God’s grace into the darkness and discovered God’s hands reaching out to me time and time again.
Grateful am I to know a loving God. Jesus has always been beside me and his Mother, Mary has never failed to comfort and assist me when I felt lost or fearful. Her prayers joined my own and I felt heard, understood and able to relax into the next venture.
Presently, unemployed, I find myself at one of life’s crossroads, and I wait patiently until the fog lifts and the direction is clear.
Grateful for sight, hearing, touch, ability to walk and lose myself in nature and occasionally my sense of smell. These gifts went unnoticed when I was little and now, I thank God for all of them.
May Peace and Gratitude fill your Heart today and always.
Yesterday we had a beautiful surprise of snowfall, flakes large enough to catch on my tongue – a moment of Joy during a time of intense grieving
Hurricane Helene left her mark on our beautiful community of Asheville NC and surrounding areas, homes, businesses, lives, trees, trails, the devastation is so glaring especially to those of us who grew up here in what was a very safe, serene and beautiful oasis. It’s been almost two months since the storm hit. September 26th ! No one was prepared. No power, no cell phones, and days later no water for over a month! Water was resumed on the 18th of September. It was deemed safe enough to shower in and consume. For me, and I think for many others, the water does not taste safe. I will continue to drink bottled or spring water and to cook with these instead of consuming them.
The day after the Water was deemed safe, my heart while not keeping up with the grief, exploded into sobs which turned into physical heaving and a need to reach out to someone to share this grief. God, in his infinite wisdom, gave me the courage to contact a friend, who was just the person to let me process some of this grief in the form of tears. I imagine it will take some time before we are able to process all of it and before we feel truly safe again in our homes from the next wind or torrential rain event.
Four Season Girl
Spring is a happy time that beckons all to plant, explore, enjoy the outdoors and the color of green is all around us dotted with flowers in every shade and the birds as they find their way back to our feeders, baths and ponds
Summer is a time for travel, vacation, cleaning out the excess visit the beaches for a swim and shell seeking OR float down the French Broad River in a canoe or kayak quietly and enjoy its ebb and flow while looking for the Eagle, Herron or Egret (please NO tubing with boom boxes and beer – it’s disturbing to those of us who love the serenity floating down the river brings.)
Autumn is a time to walk the trails and mountains and absorb the last explosion of colors red, orange, yellow and greens in all the trees that one can see on any given day
Winter a time to slow down and look inward – bake, bask in the shorter days and rest more while still awaiting for a much desired snowfall and its silence and cleanliness as it blankets the trees and eventually the ground as if it to clean the air, the trees and the earth
Spring – White Trillium- Photo: Anita Adams, NCTreesPhotography.com
Summer – Mountain Stream – Photo by Anita Adams, NCTreesPhotography.com
Autumn – Japanese Maple Tree in all the Beautiful Colours by Anita Adams, NCTreesPhotography.com
Winter – This photo was taken of the last REAL snowfall in 2022 – Crisp, White, Blanket of Snow 5″ deep or more. It’s silence is an invitation to be quiet and enjoy or play if you wish. Photo: Anita Adams, NCTreesPhotography.com
Grief and Joy One couldn’t exist without the other As we all move forward into the Holy Days (Holidays) Smile more to the Stranger Look into the Eyes of those we meet and live with it every day Don’t forget to say I love you to those you love Hug a Tree and squeeze it again for me. ~Anita
I must preface here, this is not something I normally choose to write about, however, I believe it needs to be said out loud and not behind doors – pull the splinter from my heart and let it heal
Holidays were fun as children
Days off from school
Playing with friends
Decorating the house with my Mom while listening to Holiday music
Cooking and sharing family recipes from our native Arabic foods, hoshwe, sfeehis, yabras and Mom’s famous chocolate pie
I never believed that our family could become so fractured once my parents were no longer hosting these events in their home and other homes were offered,
It’s happened
What is your resolution to this uncomfortable and painful situation?
What are the choices?
Mine, pray about it, say what I need to say and don’t say it mean.
A letter was written this morning reflecting my total disappointment and heartache
Decisions were made regarding my choice to participate separately from the entire family, and in small groups, when, where and with whom I choose to if I choose to, or to keep it very simple, and choose to celebrate with friends without drama
Called to Write 