The 56th Mile of Life

In this life, you are given multiple chances to define your character and live the life the universe intends for you. But life is not easy; sometimes it is tough, and you go (with what I call) the thick of it. But in those moments of difficulty, strength, hope, and faith have a way of coming through to guide you on a path of greatness, whether it is being a mom, helping others, being a preacher, a friend, or just bringing one moment of joy to another in a single day. Our character and our actions define the future.

This past year has been a challenge for me; some days, I feel great, and others, I feel tired and drained. But in everything I have done, I have always helped and been there for different people, whether it was a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a healing hand, or comfort during the passing of a loved one. I have spoken on theology, philosophy, and history, incorporating future generations and generations older than me in the hope that others find the grace and humbled life that I have appreciated and been blessed with.

A great storm hit my state ; over the past couple of weeks, I have been racked with emotions and conflicted by the hurt of watching such an event. But out of loss, sadness, and grief; communities have come together to help one another, people who have never met, supporting, and extending a warm and kind hand at the chance for a more fantastic future. These events made me recall one of my most important lessons.

Years ago, I sat with a wise woman; I had gone to Pilot Mountain to clear my head, where I had met someone, God had purposefully put in my path. Whatever your belief, I should share it with you all. The wise woman looked at me, and this was how the interaction went. …..

 

It was a fall October day on Pilot Mountain. The leaves were changing, the air smelled of fresh life, and the world seemed to stop but also flourish. The birds sang songs in the trees, and the mountain showed us how beautiful it was when change and colors happened, like a painting you never want to escape from. Like a mosaic, the land touched my soul, and the chilly air renewed my being, bringing fresh life into my lungs. I sat on a rock and listened to the wildlife; I saw a hawk flying, looking for his next meal or enjoying the soak of the sun on his beating wings. Beautiful and majestic, he curved in and around the rocks of the pilot. Oranges, greens, and browns had turned the mountain into a masterpiece.

As I sat on that rock, many hikers passed, continuing their way around the mountain, but one woman, a lady in her 50s, came out onto that rock and asked the simplest question: “May I have a seat? I could use a thinking rock as well.” I looked up at her, smiled warmly, and said, “Yes, mamm, there’s plenty of room.”

She had frown lines and one on her forehead, and her blonde hair had turned with little strands of white. She wore a turquoise blue windbreaker jacket, hiking boots, and an old pair of jeans; she had her water pack and a hiking stick to help her adventure. She looked out over the mountain’s edge, taking in Stokes, pilot, Winston, and Land for all the eyes could see. “Puts it into perspective, don’t you think?” with joy in her voice and awe at the creation she saw.

We both stared at the land, and I responded, “Yes, it makes you feel so much smaller than everything else.” she smiled, picked up a small stone, and threw it out over the ledge. I cracked a joke and said, “That probably hit someone in the head down there,” I cracked a laugh. She retorted back, “Maybe it’s the thump on the head. They need to get their ass in gear” We both laughed, and I responded, “At least it’s not a Lougee” She started laughing even harder at my comment. She responded, “I needed that; thank you.”

I already knew she was from western North Carolina by her dialect and way of being. “It’s funny…” she began, “how coming out here looking at all this makes things so much simpler.” I looked down at the leaves I had noticed on my trial that I was fiddling with and said, “I know exactly what you mean.” We sat briefly and took it in the peace and the wild.

“So, what are you doing? Up here alone,” she said with a quizzical brow. So, I took another deep breath and said, “Just trying to find a way to make things easier.” two hikers walked past with a child, picking up rocks off the trail and sticking them in his pockets, making a collection. The mother trying to convince him not to pick up more cause of the weight. We both saw the event and laughed a little; it was the joy of the Child’s interest or just its funkiness. “I don’t know your life,” she said, “but I can tell you god, or the universe has a reason for everything.”

I let out a breath. “Does it have to be so dang hard?” she smiled, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Sounds like you are fighting rather than just letting things be.” she threw another rock over the edge; this time, it did hit someone, we hear a faint “what the heck” and both start dying laughing. She reminded me of the monkey from “The Lion King.” She began to speak, “Sometimes god makes things fall apart, so something better and with more purpose comes into our lives and brings out the best of us. Sounds like you’re in the thick of it.”

I took in her words, and in my heart, I knew she was speaking the truth. She began again “I lost my husband four years ago from a heart attack; at that time, my whole world fell apart. He and I fell in love when we were young. We had five beautiful kids. They have grown and moved on with their lives. But when I lost my husband, I was much like you now, wondering what was next, not knowing what to do, how to act, how to be, and I was overwhelmed with emotions. I could have sat there, let it eat me up inside, turn me into someone I don’t recognize, or like these mountains, I could stand tall in my faith and strength and move forward with wherever god wanted to take me.”

I responded, “So, what happened?” I say eagerly and hang onto every word like an author hooking their audience. She continued, ” I sold the house, moved to somewhere I had never been before, explored the places I always wanted to go, and painted these mountains that I travel and use as my income. My kids thought I was crazy, but I knew deep down that God had me at every turn and would carry me through it. I stopped focusing on what I wanted and started listening and loving life unconditionally in my heart. Many people called me crazy, but the peace that I found I could never have thought I could keep. I started being thankful for what I had and the people I had; I got rid of the things hurting me and said goodbye to people I no longer matched life with. One day, I packed my brushes, paint, and a canvas, got in my car, and spent a weekend painting a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My first painting I made 50 dollars on. I used that to buy more paint. Then I painted another, so I did it again. Eventually, I built a reputation for my paintings and a new life.” she looked out over the land and began to speak again, “Sometimes the first path god sets us on isn’t true. Sometimes, God has a funny way of building us up for something greater, but he humbles us with suffering to define that greatness. It is like when a house or a business gets torn down. First, he must repair the foundation, then he builds your strength to overcome the obstacles, and next, he makes sure your ass jumps whether you are ready or not. But I can tell you this: I played it safe all my life; I dealt with a lot of stress, and that stress, I believe, is what killed my husband. But now, God used my dream to give me peace in my soul. So, like this rock…” she picked another up and threw it over the edge, “cast it away, let god take the Raines for a while, and see what happens. Sometimes boundaries and perception need to be broken for better outcomes as long as you do it for the right reasons.”

Her words sank into my heart. God had sent this lady to teach me something, and I listened. I looked at her and said, “Thank you. I think that’s what I needed to hear.” she smiled and hugged me. She started to speak, “Well, my ass hurts from sitting on this rock. I best be on my way. If things get difficult, remember what I said, walk with purpose and faith, and always try to do the right thing; you’ll never go wrong.”

She grabbed her walking stick, left the rock, and headed back down the mountain. Ever since then, I still remember her words.

 

It is not about where you come from or what you have; in a moment, it can all be taken away. What is important is the lessons, the people, the experiences, and the knowledge you gain. That, my friends, is what makes a beautiful life.