Linda and her family are OK and sheltering with friends until access and power is restored at their Asheville home. Here is a piece she wrote in her journal.
Imagine…
Not being able to return home for weeks, maybe months.
Losing your trees, including the 400-year-old grandmother tree that was a source of spiritual connection for you. And your beloved plants and rose garden you’ve nurtured and grown for years.
Losing your fish pond where you meditated every day and 20 fish—all who had names & different personalities and was a source of daily joy.
Losing your doctor’s office, your IV clinic, your accountant & hairdresser, and your dog’s groomer overnight with no other alternative places to go.
Having your pharmacy, grocery store, hardware store & other stores closed indefinitely, or worse, washed away forever.
Having all parks & recreation facilities in your county closed down indefinitely.
Not being able to go to the downtown drumming circle every Friday night.
Having sink holes in your road and parts washed away and the roads you drive daily gone. Having the Blue Ridge Parkway closed down indefinitely.
Imagine every day, remembering one more friend, neighbor, or person who’s part of your community that you need to find and make sure is safe. And worse, not being able to locate them.
And then imagine feeling guilty for grieving these things, because you’re one of the lucky ones who still has a home standing and your life.