Here’s to wishing for new stories as we make peace with our past, appreciating the good with the bad and holding on to God’s Promises as we go through another season. ♥️
I was reminded of another year long period of drastic change today ... A big shift in the soul from feelings of love and connection to those of sorrow and isolation.
Remember when 2012 was supposed to be the end of the world? At least John Cusack and Woody Harrelson thought so but in all actuality it was just a period of change. The world did not "end". It just changed.
As long as we are looking back, we can’t see what’s in front of us. When we respect these seasons, we can see what God is showing us whether it be something new, something neglected or even better, the clarity to see the world and each other as only HE can see ... beautifully broken and beautifully mendable with Him that lives in us.
Getting through 2020 (as I'm just now getting around to writing this) will be one day at a time much like 2012 was for me but the lack of human contact is unbearable some days. All the Zoom, Skype, social media and phone calls can never replace a good ‘ol hug from the ones you love most ... Thus, why I’m sharing this. I know I’m not alone in this feeling of estrangement to one’s self but although in feeling “stuck” with one’s self, there’s also opportunity to “clean out the closet” or “heal one’s old wounds” so to speak without the clutter of many voices.
However, If you are actually fortunate enough to be living with the ones you love most, be so very grateful during this season. They might even annoy you some days but hey, you're still getting human contact! As for the rest of us, I encourage you to draw nearer to Him that made us.
So ... On to the story
Flashback to 2012, just before my job had relocated from Dallas, Texas to Jacksonville, Florida ... I remember sitting with my daughter and we were making wishes in a field of dandelions as I tried to explain what was going on the best I knew how and that I would have to go away for a little while.
Coincidently, I was in that same field today.
That little while ended up being way longer than we hoped for. With that came several years of dissapointments and heartache. However, IT WAS THIS FACE I had on my phone, that kept me moving though those days, months and years and the promise kept. When I got knocked down, I would remember this moment in the dandelion field fondly and somehow was able to get back on my feet again and then again and once more again.
The key to keeping sanity during that time was to stay present. It was a tough lesson but one this nostalgic soul needed to write down as this isn't a headspace I'd like to return to.
CELEBRATING WITH WHAT WE DO HAVE ... The annual Street Painting Festival has almost always brought a feeling of respite just about every year. This particular year (2019) my old friend Jew got to help me with a documentary on the event that I've wanted to do for a very long time now AND my OLDER brother came to visit for the very first time. It was special. It was less about the art and just appreciating the moment with loved ones. As you can see, I didn't even finish it before the rain.
If I haven’t mentioned before, most Street Paintings are a celebration (for me) of the previous year, whether it was loss or gain, my own little "New Year's" celebration albeit in February. My time for some "me time" to reflect.
