Fears and Tears

“From a Distance”, a song by Bette Midler has been echoing in my mind lately. Just those three words – “From a Distance”, which describes my life once we made the decision to move out of state several years ago from our extended family. We would see each other every year or every other year, it was a life from a distance.

I recently made the trip back to celebrate a milestone birthday for my sister. It was a blessing to have a week to spend with family, including three nights in a beautiful, snow covered mountain town. It was a time to rest and recharge, but it was also bittersweet as a family member is ill and suffering.

Travelling reveals many things, namely that I am not in control, and there is a lot of trust to be put in others. To be patient with the unexpected bumps in the road, some can be avoided while others must be faced. That we may encounter turbulence, dense fog, or delays, only to realize that they bring opportunities for understanding and wisdom.

The view from the plane window, above the clouds gives me a glimpse of majesty and beauty; a sense of peace and tranquility. As the plane descends, the landscape is revealed in different shapes and colors from above, where the scenery is stretched out and vast before my eyes. It is a view from a distance, where all is well because it teaches me to surrender, because no matter what may come, God is watching over me, and that is a beautiful life lesson.

From a distance the world looks blue and green. And the snow capped mountains white. From a distance the ocean meets the stream. And the eagle take to flight. Song by Bette Midler