In this season of life.

We sit in our windows and watch as the tress turn to those vibrant fall colors of yellow, orange and red. The beauty surrounds us for what only seems like a moment in time, and then before we know it those very same trees are now completely bare. The child within us is giddy with excitement for that first sight of snow. In that very window we witness the world around us take change. Welcoming and enduring all seasons of life with open arms, in the hope and pursuit of witnessing something beautiful and new. And while the world around us evolves, we ourselves walk through seasons. Some filled with love and joy, while others are met with the most challenging of storms. But no matter the season, just like the world around us, we emerge a changed person for the better. Today I invite you to take a walk not in my shoes, but in my season. I suggest you hold on tight as you never know when the winds may change.

As I step outside my front door I am met with a sudden and very cold gust of wind. I can feel the shiver running down my spine as I am jolted by the all too familiar and loud sound of booming in the distance. I peer over the side of my house to see dark clouds approaching fast. I can feel it in my bones that this storm will not be like any of the rest. I can try to outrun it with all my might, but I know soon enough it will catch up and consume me. I close my eyes, step back inside and pray that this too will pass.

2020 was the storm from hell, I wasn't kidding when I thought it would be unlike any that had come before. 365 days of non stop rain, dark clouds and fear. Too many lives were lost, even those that tried their best to prepare and brace for impact. No one was immune to this hurricane of a storm. Businesses shut down, jobs were lost and just when we thought all hope was gone, our rainbow appeared in the form of not 1, not 2 but 3 vaccines. The dark clouds parted in the sky and we saw our first glimmer of sunshine.

We all wanted to pretend or at least hold onto the notion that when that clock struck midnight on New Years Eve, all our troubles and worries would disappear. But when a season changes, new storms can and most often times do appear. I found myself once again under my bed, bracing for impact as I heard yet another storm rolling in.

A few showers swept through, nothing crazy, and I began to wonder what I had so feared. A passing shower during the day? Please, I can handle whatever the weather throws at me. In fact I was on cloud nine at the promise of a new job and some more financial stability. I mean don't we all wish for that as adults (can I get an AMEN please?!)? But like a kid after a sugar high came a downward crash, hard and fast, and I found myself once again without a job. I was left more discouraged then ever at this point as I exited that nightmare of a place for once and all. I spent my nights praying in bed with every ounce of faith I had left that just maybe from the dark ashy clouds my rainbow would finally peek through.

From losing a job to personal struggles it seemed there was no end in sight. Clouds after clouds came rolling in with no break for miles. Having to adjust to big dynamic changes, and help your child cope and come to terms with things was just about all my plate could handle. Any more sudden gusts of wind and everything, including myself would end up on that hard, soaking wet ground. But I reminded myself as I sat in the shower crying, that it's often in the winds of change that we find our true selves. And with that I stepped, actually more so slid not so smoothly into yet another season.

I awoke that next morning to the bright sun peering through my blinds right into my eyes. Normally I would huff and puff and wish I didn't have to get up, but by now I had endured fall and winter and was relieved to see spring just over the horizon. That first sight of flowers filled my heart with hope and the promise that something beautiful was right around the corner. I just had to trust myself, take that leap of faith and believe everything would be okay. It all began with clicking the submit button on my computer screen and before I knew it, the warm winds of spring blew in my rainbow right before my eyes.

What began as a season of despair, fear and sadness, all the sudden evolved to one better then I ever could of imagined. I took not a leap, but a ginormous jump of faith and applied to a position at a Elementary School I thought I had the least chance of getting. And guess what? I got it! Beginning fall I will start my career in a Elementary school right by my house, and come next spring I will officially graduate with my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Nonetheless, storms and all, I persevered.

Our storms and seasons aren't meant to break us, though they do come damn near close, they are meant to shift us to the paths and directions we belong on. To guide us back on our way when we stray off the course and or lose sight of what's important. They come sometimes with the hardest of life lessons and the most difficult of moments, but from those we change into better people. One's who appreciate the small things right in front of them, who love harder then they ever have and approach all situations in life with as much patience, understanding and kindness as possible.

My path to the rainbow at the end of the storm was no easy task. My back has been against the wall more times then I can count and I've walked through the darkest of valleys alone. But no matter what season you are in, don't let it define you, don't let it limit your possibilities. No matter what the booming sounds of others say in the stormy clouds around you, keep walking, keep welcoming change with open arms because I promise at the end of it you will emerge a better person.

As I sit in my window watching the leaves begin to bud and bloom after a long and difficult season, I send all my love, hope and strength to everyone on their own personal journeys. And yes, I promise you will and can even survive doing homeschool on your own for over a year while trying to juggle your own life. I mean it may be barely, but hey, it counts. And I won't promise more storms won't come along because well life happens and it's unpredictable, but I can promise no matter the storm you will make it. You have survived 100% of your toughest days and that is more then enough to be proud of.

Cheers to all those in whatever season they have entered, remember you are exactly where you are meant to be. The trees don't race to change, so why should we race to the finish line in life? Everyone has their own journey, enjoy the ride!

"Though she falls, she will not be overwhelmed. Because the Lord supports her with His hand"~ Psalm 37:24