"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." - Psalm 28:7
Life, in its unpredictable nature, often feels like navigating a turbulent sea. We encounter sudden squalls of financial hardship, the battering winds of loss, and the torrential downpours of illness or despair. These "storms of life" can leave us feeling exposed, vulnerable, and questioning our ability to weather the tempest. We may find ourselves tossed about, struggling to keep our footing, and longing for a safe harbor.
In these challenging times, when the clouds are darkest and the thunder rolls loudest in our hearts, it's easy to feel utterly alone. Yet, scripture reminds us that even in the midst of the storm, we are not forsaken. Our faith teaches us to anchor ourselves in the unwavering love and strength of God, our ultimate refuge. But often, God's grace manifests itself in tangible ways, through the outstretched hands and compassionate hearts of those around us.
Today, as I set on the front porch, I am reflecting on the storms I have inevitably face and the profound impact of kindness that acts as a beacon in the darkness. Just as a lighthouse guides ships through treacherous waters, the empathy and support of others can illuminate our path and help us navigate the most perilous journeys. Let us consider how these acts of human kindness reflect the very heart of Christ, who offered solace, healing, and unwavering love to all who were weary and burdened.
When Life's Storms Hit: Rising, Fractured but Forward
Life, in its unpredictable nature, often feels like a journey across a calm sea, until, without warning, a tempest descends. When the storms of life truly hit – the unexpected losses, the crushing disappointments, the profound betrayals – they don't just knock us down; they can shatter us, leaving us feeling fractured, fundamentally altered, and perhaps unrecognizable even to ourselves. In those moments, the very ground beneath us seems to give way, and the idea of simply "getting up" feels like an insurmountable task. The pieces of who we were lie scattered, and the question echoes: how do we possibly reassemble ourselves? Yet, despite the deep cracks and the undeniable pain, there remains an unwavering truth: we must keep moving on. This isn't about ignoring the damage, but about acknowledging it, carrying it, and finding the strength to take the next breath, the next step, even when every fiber of our being feels broken.
Picking Up the Pieces: A Retelling of Loss and the Long Road to Rebuilding
"How do you pick up the pieces of your life when so much evil has been done to you? Where do you begin again?" These poignant words from Frodo Baggins resonate deeply with the human experience of navigating profound loss and seeking a path forward. Many have inquired about the events that irrevocably altered the lives of my parents and myself, and it is with a sense of reflection that I offer another glimpse into that challenging period.
Our family home, the anchor of our lives since April 1971, was lost in March 2007. This marked the beginning of a period of instability, with multiple relocations for my parents and myself. In 2009, I moved my parents to Las Vegas, where my father sadly passed away shortly after. The subsequent financial hardship left me briefly homeless before I managed to secure a small apartment for my mother and myself. My mother, after enduring further health challenges, passed away in September 2011.
Facing renewed homelessness in Las Vegas, a compassionate friend offered support, providing a temporary lifeline. However, the desire to return to Arizona eventually led me to Tucson in 2013, where I navigated a period of homelessness before finding transitional housing through the Primavera Foundation. After seven months, I moved into a small studio apartment at the Alamo Apartments, a hard-won stability.
However, the stability found at the Alamo Apartments was temporary. When the time came to renew my lease in June of 2014, a significant rent increase was proposed – from 30% of my income to a staggering $500.00 per month. This amount would have consumed the majority of my limited funds, making it an unsustainable situation. Faced with this impossible choice, I made the difficult decision to vacate the apartment, once again placing my belongings back into storage.
Knowing the brutal Arizona summer heat would make homelessness in Tucson even more perilous, I made a bold and perhaps unexpected decision. With my camping gear loaded onto my back, I sought out the entrance to the Arizona Trail from Tucson and began to walk. Did I, against all odds, manage to traverse the entire distance back to Flagstaff? Well, that is a story for other blog posts, tales from a challenging period that might just surprise you...
Yours as always,
Captain Hedges
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