Wearing bright pink shorts, a faded neon tie-dye Buc-ee's shirt, and old white Air Force Ones, I sat in my teal wheelchair, facing the cobblestone bench near the dining hall door at summer camp. My hands covered my tear-filled eyes as I prepared to load the bus and leave my favorite place. Someone who means the world to me leaned down and whispered, "You can do hard things."
Some might think this memory is recent because I can recall it so vividly. But it happened years ago, and yet the memory is as fresh as ever, her words still strong in my ear.
It makes sense that memories like this, so fond and clear, would become core memories. But then there are the memories that linger inside us, the ones that aren’t necessarily remarkable or that we might wish we could forget. For me, one of these memories is the weekly night I spent sleeping outside at camp—a night I dreaded every year.
One year, it was especially tough the location where I would be sleeping was darker than normal and it was incredibly humid and muggy causing everything to be sticky. The loud sound of cicada’s chirping and animals brushing through the trees. Spider bites from days prior made me itch with the idea of getting more bites throughout the night made me squirm. I awoke from a restless night's sleep.I was drenched from humidity and the morning dew, my sleeping bag heavy and soaked, but I had once again made it through the night.
Even though it never got easier, the overwhelming sense of accomplishment afterward made it worth it. With the right support, I always made it through the night. Just like some medical experiences I've had to endure, I may never feel fully comfortable with things like anesthesia or MRIs. Yet, when I remember those nights outdoors, lying on just a small mat and a sleeping bag, I’m reminded that there is beauty to be found in hard moments. If peace and comfort can be found in the stars that shine through clouds on a dark night, then peace, comfort and joy can also shine through the hardest, scariest days.
I hold onto these memories, replaying them whenever I need to, and they fill me with a sense of safety and comfort, even from afar. Her words, "You can do hard things," echo in my mind—words that have guided me through some of the toughest moments in my life.
As Maya Angelou once said, "The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place we can go as we are and not be questioned." I searched for this "home" for years.
Many might argue that a safe place is a physical location, a person, or a group. While that’s often true, I’ve learned that these places and people can also reside within us. I find comfort in the auroma that only comes with camp, the scent from campfires, the taste of fruity pebble rice crispy treats, and the familiar essence of sunscreen and bug spray. I cherish the cheerful “hello, friend” that evokes warmth and connection.
When you think you a place that brings you peace, what sounds, smells, or sensations come to mind?
These memories remind me that there is beauty in hard moments. If peace can be found in stars that shine through clouds on a dark night, then peace, joy, and comfort can be found in every experience.
So, dear reader, I invite you to reflect on your own memories—those moments of struggle and triumph that have shaped who you are. Embrace the idea that within you lies the strength to face life’s challenges. Just as the stars illuminate the night sky, the light of hope and resilience can shine through even the darkest times. Your journey, with all its ups and downs, weaves together the beautiful tapestry of your life, and within that tapestry, you will always uncover a sense of home—a sanctuary of comfort and belonging that exists within you.
What memories do you hold onto during challenging times? Are there specific words or experiences that you return to for strength?
What does “home” mean to you? Is it a place, a feeling, or something within yourself?
How do you find resilience when faced with situations that make you uncomfortable or anxious? What support or inner strength do you lean on?
Who in your life has encouraged you to face hard things? How have their words or actions influenced the way you approach challenges?
How can you create moments of “home” within yourself, even when you’re far from the places you love?
Comentarios