January 2014 I sat in a coffee shop with two other creatives. When we pondered our year ahead, our goals and visions, I had only two words: FREEDOM and IDK (you know that’s a word!). I couldn’t see where I’d be in my business, I had no “this or that” I was hoping for. No resolutions. I knew a few things that had been on my calendar for many moons as far as photography goes and I’d continue working with them, but there was a lot of peaceful empty space. I just did not know…and I was ok with that.
That whole thing about hindsight? I totally understand now.
I navigated through 2014 for less than half of the year. The rest grabbed me and took me both by surprise and force. Suddenly, along with most of my family, I was in a bit of a tailspin. Daily uncertainties grew into dire events and we were tangled in a mess of bad health news that kept unfolding like a rolling snowball growing as it plummeted down Mt. Everest. Days—hours went by at what seemed a snails’ pace but with utmost urgency.
And, that’s where I have lived in the role of supporter, advocate and caregiver since May 2014. Certainly I haven’t done this alone. Not at all. And, of course life doesn’t stop all that’s ordinary when crises arise which means that more than not my heart and my body wanted to be in at least two places at once every single day.
There’s a lot to share from these months. So many blessings amongst unrelenting pain.
I’m thankful for you, that you’re here with me at A Girl in the Middle; I hope you’ll allow me to share my heart, my life and my faith with you. It won’t take long to take notice of a few things which are steadfastly part of my heart; not many of them trump a walk on the beach. It’s there that I can clear my head, empty my heart, fill my lungs and inspire the great truths that are inseparable from my being. This visit, though my heart was heavy and I looked ahead with so much uncertainty, I wanted to hear the crashing waves, to feel the gritty sand underfoot, to bask in the warmth of the sun and listen to my creator’s whispers among the vastness of the ocean. My best friend meeting me there was priceless. It will go down in our long history as the tumultuous summer we took time to (try and) find solace for just a day or two, and we needed that: then and right now. But right now will have to wait for again.
Where do long to be when life is overwhelming?
