Sometimes, we need a reminder of just how resilient nature truly is—a quiet nudge that encourages us to believe in our own ability to recover and thrive.

In September 2024, Asheville faced the fury of Hurricane Helene. The storm left our beloved landscape scarred and stripped bare. Trees were downed, gardens flattened, and the once-lush surroundings looked desolate. It felt like a loss not just of beauty, but of stability.

Then spring arrived—and with it, hope. Little by little, green returned to our yards and mountainsides. Like many in our community, I found comfort in planting again. Nurseries and farmers markets were buzzing as people selected herbs, flowers, and vegetables to fill the empty spaces in their gardens. It felt like we were all planting more than just seeds—we were planting hope.

But on May 8th, just as new life had begun to take root, a fierce hailstorm swept through the area. It tore through delicate hostas, pounded flower beds, and threatened the young plants we had just lovingly tucked into the earth. I remember rushing outside as soon as the hail stopped, anxiously inspecting every stem and leaf, silently willing them to survive.

And then—something amazing happened.

May and June brought steady, generous rains. Day by day, my garden began to thrive in a way I hadn’t seen in years. My medicinal herbs grew taller and more vibrant than ever before. Elderberry bushes bent under the weight of fruit. Flowers bloomed with a richness and intensity that made me stop in awe. Even my tiny fig bush, planted just a week before the storm, surprised me with its first few fruits—small, but full of promise.

Time and again, nature reminds me that new life can blossom even after the harshest conditions. It’s a lesson I’ve needed to learn—and one I want to share.

Whatever storm you may be facing right now, I hope it is soon followed by a season of growth and renewal. Nature holds that hope for all of us. Hold on to it. Let it nourish you.

Blessings! David T

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths,com