Seasons of Transformation

Seasons of Transformation

I have been traveling as a nurse for the past four years. What started out as a need to make more money turned into a journey of self-discovery. I quickly developed broad shoulders of courage to adapt to my new responsibilities. Travel nurses are expected to pick up the pace, transition with ease into new roles and to lean into and take charge of unexpected challenges. I became confident, self-reliant, and more fearless than I ever thought possible. This was a season of transformation that helped mold me into the person I grew to be. I became wiser, and more confident, with a newfound appreciation for the colorful diversity of mankind.

I had often wondered where I would end up planting roots at the end of my traveling season. Would I reside near the Grand Canyon in Arizona? Would the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque capture my heart? Or perhaps the southern charm of South Carolina would be my final stop. Four years later, I unexpectedly and delightfully found my forever home; Lynchburg, Virginia. The choice was an easy one to make. Lynchburg, although burgeoning, has maintained her small-town charm with quaint neighborhoods lined with brick homes and lush landscaping. Scattered throughout the town are pleasing-to-the-eye churches built in either red brick or whitewashed stucco complete with a rotunda and bell tower. The shops and restaurants do not disappoint with a variety of goods and services for the avid traveler and wanderer. For the out-of-doors person like me and my beau, Lynchburg is especially attractive. Nestled near the Blue Ridge Parkway with close access to a portion of the Appalachian Trail are several easy access points.  

This is where my story begins.

Within the first few days of arriving in Lynchburg, what made the most sense was to scout out the Parkway. The fall leaves were turning quickly and within a week, the blanket of trees covering the Blue Ridge area would be baren, leaving only the cluster of forest green pines speckled throughout the forest visible. Navigating the city’s streets and freeways could wait – obviously.

The day we chose to go exploring, the sky was a cloudless piercing blue allowing the sun to dance rays of light across the bounty of colors. Each twist and turn of the Blue Ridge switchback was breathtaking. Trying to choose where to stop and capture the essence of the remaining hue of fall colors became a game. With each click of the camera I found myself increasingly drawn, almost trance-like, into the depth and hue of the colors. Yellow became marigold, orange became persimmon, red transformed into crimson. As the light from the sun touched the changing leaves, the soft breeze made a delicate ballet of it all that drew me in to become transfixed. Reminding me of the days of childhood, lying on the ground looking up at the great big oak and watching natures activity, feeling the aliveness of the tree breathing in and out with the breeze. Being captivated by the purposeful scurrying of the squirrels and chipmunks.

Watching nature change during this drive through the mountain had me feeling a little somber of what is around the corner, winter, and her four-letter word: cold. I became nostalgic over my own life and what once was and what is now. All the changes I have experienced over the years helped grow in me a resilience and the ability to acclimate and flourish in strange new places. I became accustomed to how to make do in a variety of new living situations without my favorite mug and essentials. This may sound silly however, being creatures of habit we rely on those little things. I began to ponder on this day of how the changing seasons of my own life precipitated the strong purposeful woman I am today. That the winter of my life, being away from my family while navigating new hospitals and policies, built in me a reserve of hope of new possibilities. Finding ways to bend and adapt and allow the colors of my own being to become transformed from blue to sapphire, green to sage, from blush to magenta.

What is next? I do not know, I have dreams, of course, and hope to see those dreams come to fruition. What I have learned is this; allow life to unfold the way a wintering tree gives way to her popping spring buds. Stretching out her branches and making room for the summer leaves to expand and open with purpose. I too will make way for the miracles of life as they present themselves to me. I will expand my mind to remain open to all the possibilities each season of my life has for me. Allowing the mystery to take shape and become my next purpose and to tackle each endeavor with the same curiosity and strength of spirit as I have learned to do.