An image of white snow and black trees

How much I have missed the Winter…

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