What My Girls Should Know

I think there are times when the instability of life comes into direct focus. 

I know for many, this past week has been one of those times. For my local community (we currently live just outside of Asheville), we've just been served a heaping dose of instability via Hurricane Helene. 

But I think the first time I really experienced this feeling was 18 years ago today. It was the day my dad lost his battle with brain cancer. Less than 2 weeks later, my only grandma (my poor mom's mom) lost her battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

Often times, you don't get to choose what happens to you and when. I think we spend a lot of time building facades of control, or else we spend our time in distractions. 

In the wake of everything, I've been thinking about my daughters - what I want them to know, to value, to look for out of life. 

 Again, I'm met with the fact that I have little control over that, but I can do my best. 

I want them to know that there are places where you don't feel like you have to run. Places you don't feel like you have to pretend. There are places where reality actually feels real, but somehow not too heavy. 

It's where our feet hit dirt. Where the trees close in. Or maybe where they open up. It's where the smell of pine overwhelms us and grounds us in the same breath. It's the place where we can fall asleep and wake up in cool mountain air. 

Nature is where we can escape the trappings of our own "wisdom" and "forward-thinking progress." It's a place we can go to remember what life truly is - an achingly beautiful, fleeting moment.  One to be cherished. 

Life isn't easy. But it's also filled with joy.
It is brimming with life, and overcome by death. 
It moves through seasons. And there's a good chance you might not like the one you're in. 

We like things to remain. Desperately want it, in fact. But life is fluid and ever-changing, and nature does nothing to disguise that. 

So, to my beautiful girls. Here's what I want you to know - if we have any hope at all, it's in the land. We must love this world and protect it.