Sue Nagy

I woke up, ate breakfast, and then sought the comfort of the living room couch, a familiar feeling of depression settling over me. The ache of arthritis and a dropped cup of tea left me feeling defeated, murmuring to myself, “The old grey mare ain’t what she used to be.” But the woods were calling. With my bucket of critter food in hand, I walked out and found a tree to embrace. As I wrapped my arms around its trunk and inhaled the earthy scent of the forest, I was struck by a powerful sense of gratitude. The realization of how fortunate I am to live in this wonderful place washed over me, and I felt myself becoming the contented old lady I prefer to be.

The people “Up North” are truly wonderful. When I’m at the grocery store, being so short, I can’t reach the top shelf, but without fail, a kind stranger is always there to lend a hand. I often joke that in my next life, I’ll be six feet tall and “strong like bull,” a favorite saying of my late father-in-law. My five children, ranging from 5’7″ to 6’3″, make for some amusing family photos with all of them towering over me at a mere 5’2″ (in heels).

My son and I are taking a trip to his home in Las Vegas soon. I’m looking forward to exploring the desert and the mountains. While it’s not my forest, the desert has its own stark and breathtaking beauty. The trip is a chance to see family and experience another landscape Mother Nature has to offer. I’m not a gambler, but I do enjoy a good show, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing Penn & Teller.

When we find ourselves under a black cloud of depression, we must remember that it is only temporary. Bad moods and difficult times don’t last forever. We are lucky enough to be alive in a beautiful world, with people who love us. We need to expand that love to include all of our human family, even those we find most difficult to love and understand–the angry and the wrong-thinking. Some of my own family members have political views that are the opposite of mine, but I’ve come to believe that they have every right to be wrong.

So let’s all embrace the start of fall. Go outside and watch the world change its colors. Offer a wish of peace to everyone you meet. Love is contagious, and your words just might be the light that helps someone else move from dark skies to clear, blue ones.