One Photo Washed Away My Guilt

As of late, I have been suffering from a bit of survivor’s guilt. While my home was barely touched by Hurricane Helene so many of my neighbors lost everything. I have been helping in the relief efforts while I am also making sure my family and employees’ needs are met.

However, when I went out the other evening to try and photograph wildlife again I felt as if I was abandoning everyone for my own selfish desires to chase after something I loved. I was literally almost in tears while driving to a bird sanctuary because I couldn’t stop thinking, “you’re not doing enough,” “what is wrong with you, why are you being so selfish,” and many other thoughts such as those.

I pushed myself to move onward through my guilt because I needed to fill my emotional well again, it was dry.

As I walked through the shuttered bird sanctuary alone (nothing was untouched by Helene), I found this hawk perched on a low branch right in front of me with the setting sun slightly silhouetting him/her. Just so you know, that never happens, not like that.

As crazy as this may sound I immediately felt at peace taking these shots, as if it were God saying, “It’s ok my son, you have and you will continue to help. Allow yourself a moment to breathe.”

I am getting teary just writing this. So I will wrap it up by saying, “Thank you Lord, thank you for being so kind to my troubled heart.”