My Way or the Highway? Hardly. . .

Note to Self: How to Navigate the Unexpected

This fall, my husband and I had an exciting three-week trip planned. I gathered my art supplies and was eagerly charted our route, discovering galleries, scenic landscapes, and hidden kayaking spots along the way. However, circumstances beyond our control abruptly altered the grand four thousand-kilometre adventure—first reducing it to two weeks in entirely different locations and ultimately into two three-day getaways close to home. (Two significant falls left me with bruised ribs, whiplash, and back spasms, compounded by emotional shocks that slowed my healing. These forced us to adjust our plans and cut the vacation short.)

My initial disappointment fuelled my determination not to let anything ruin my long-awaited holiday, so I consciously chose to "go with the flow" and maintain a positive attitude. After all, as Winnie the Pooh wisely said, "The nicest thing about the rain is that it always stops. Eventually." However, when the challenges turned into a torrent of misfortunes, mishaps, and mistakes, gratitude became my emotional life preserver.

My kayak still saw plenty of use, and though unable to paint outdoors, I emptied the pill bottle while filling my camera with a treasure trove of reference photos.

Amazingly, the stark interplay between breathtaking pain and the stunning beauty around me heightened my awareness of both. The vastness of the night sky offered perspective amidst my confusion, while the mirror-like reflections of the lake were sharper than the shooting pain. These contrasts helped me discover a spiritual sense of comfort that transcended my physical and emotional limitations.

In Pain and Gratitude

night skies, a deeper midnight blue

angelic stars, a keen and brighter view

our milky way's long path entranced

lighting up this darkening soul's expanse

Now, with my inspirational photos and overflowing imagination safely stored away, I eagerly await the moment I can pick up my brushes again to create art that expresses my healing journey and autumn memories—mysterious ponds, compassionate people, and divine providence.

In the meantime, as I focus on healing and continue to navigate the twists and turns of life using gratitude as my personal flotation device, I invite you to follow my personal Facebook Page. There, you can find photos that capture some of my favourite memories from this unusual fall trip—pun intended!

Let me know which memories you'd like to see painted first!

In Recovery,

Lorenda