On April 29th, 2025, a powerful storm system known as a derecho swept across parts of Indiana and into Pennsylvania. With wind gusts reaching up to 90 mph, it uprooted trees, downed power lines, and left thousands without electricity. Our property was no exception—trees crashed down across our land, one even taking out our power and blocking our driveway.
But this storm was more than just a weather event. For me, it was a mirror of the personal storms I’d been navigating.
The day before, I had laid my horse to rest—my dad’s horse, which made the loss even harder. That followed closely on the heels of my grandmother’s passing. I found myself knee-deep in grief, memories, and the daunting task of sorting through her belongings. At the same time, I was trying to push forward professionally—building a website, developing a personal brand, and laying the groundwork for future business endeavors.
And yet, life kept blowing me off course.
Every time I thought I was making progress, something else would fall—literally and figuratively. Trees, deadlines, emotions. It felt like the universe was doing its best to keep me stuck. But when the derecho storm came and physically blocked our driveway, I couldn’t help but laugh at the symbolism. Progress—physically and emotionally—was being blocked.
But just like in life, we got to work.
Armed with a generator and some resilience, we began the cleanup process. It took days. Honestly, we’re still not done. But with every limb hauled, every branch cleared, I felt the metaphor deepen: healing and rebuilding take time.
That same week, I thought on how relentless the wind had been this spring. I’d set out new flowers, only to find them knocked over the next day. I’d clean up one part of the yard, and more limbs would fall. It was frustrating, yes—but it hit me:
Sometimes, life is just windy.
You make progress, only to get knocked back again.
But wind doesn’t last forever.
Winds usher in new seasons.
They shake loose what no longer belongs.
They make space for growth.
So if you’ve been feeling like life is just one gust after another—you’re not alone. And you’re not off course. You’re in motion.
Your Turn:
What “winds” have been blowing through your life lately? What are they clearing out—or making room for?
Action Step: Take 10 minutes to reflect or journal on this question:
What storm have I been weathering, and what new season might it be preparing me for?
