Quote:
Originally Posted by BethRags
I took deep breaths and decided to let my husband's lateness go and made a conscious choice to have a good attitude. We took a 7 hour drive, mostly through the Napa Valley, which is famous for it's vineyards and wineries. Neither of us drink, but the region is - was - an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful land. Tragically, what we found were miles and miles, hours and hours, of mountains burned black by last year's wildfires. It was frankly heartbreaking. After driving through what looked like the apocalypse for several hours I began to feel anxious, then panicky. And depressed. Maybe I was remembering the constant smoke and falling ash of last summer...all summer...or maybe it was just seeing the devastation. I finally stopped trying to enjoy the ride and started doing breathing, affirmations, whatever would work to decrease my panic. I didn't say anything to my husband, but clearly we were both adversely affected by not seeing any wildlife, no living trees, nothing but burned everything.
So I can't say I exactly enjoyed sightseeing, but my husband and I enjoyed each others' company, which was really nice. And I came home to a sweet voice message and Facebook message from my son.
And now I am worn out. HUGS all around!
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I'm glad you had that time with your husband. I can imagine how the burnt vineyards would be hard to see, though. I only remember them as fruitful, but on a more positive note, sometimes the burnt soil fire leaves behind can be particularly fertile. I remember when a flower box on my old deck burned from a fire, the begonia grew back rapidly and beautifully from the charred flower box. I also remember seeing Yellowstone National Park after a huge fire after having seen it before it.
That rapid regrowth after a fire is quite symbolic for people who were ill and go through recovery. Not that tragedy is ever welcome, though.
Attached photos in the following order:
1. Fire
2. Fire aftermath
3. Post fire new growth
4. Young and beautiful, albeit perhaps in a new form