The whole mountain range.

We live on the west side of the Shenandoah Valley up on the first ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. From my favorite spot in the sunroom, I can see all the way across the valley to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It’s beautiful.

But it’s limited. As the woods all around us fill in with leaves, the range of view lessens.

Fall is my favorite season and as this fall approached, our first in our new home, I watched the changing leaves with delight and nervousness.

“Is this the peak? Will they get brighter? I don’t want to miss it. Is this it?”

Then came Sandy. Peak or not, that was it.

Even as we prepared for possible electricity outages and other apocalyptic happenings, my mind was on the leaves. As I heard the wind howl, I could feel the disappointment in my chest.

“That’s it. I should have taken more walks, pictures, time to just take in the beauty of the changing colors.”

But then came the morning.

My 45 degree view of the mountains had grown to almost 125 degrees! Even the valley behind us began coming into view as the woods were stripped bare of their leaves.

Change is uncomfortable, especially when what’s right here is so pleasant . . like multi-colored leaves, crisp air, and bright blue skies.

I tend to hold on tight, almost anxiously, to the moments I’m enjoying. But when I do it lessens the enjoyment.

The fallacy is I don’t believe there could be something better on the other side of this change.

But for all I know, what’s waiting could be as big and beautiful as a whole mountain range.

Today I’m giving thanks for things I’ve found “on the other side” of hard change . .

37. a better marriage

38. a stronger relationship with God

39. deeper faith in His Word

40. more confidence in His strength in my weakness

41. a new community of friends

42. the treasure of “old” friends who’re “true blue”

43. a beautiful home

44. humility

45. peace that sustains