Safe Haven in the Mountains

The shocking, rude awakening struck quickly and fiercely, catching most off guard and in disbelief. Like everyone else, Eva’s way of life, which she had enjoyed for so long, got interrupted in a big way and with ripple effects. She lived in midtown with her cat, Sam, and frequented the local stores and coffee shops within walking distance. She loved the townie life and was a painter who painted beautiful abstracts. But she could no longer relate to nor recognize the world. It felt unkind, uncomfortable, and unsafe to her. Knowing that she would never get acclimated, she began staying home more and creating her own utopia, but that was only a temporary fix. Things were plentiful and predictable until that terrifying day when the world forever changed instantly and profoundly.

It all began with a scary, fast-moving plague that swept the planet overnight. Nothing was the same after that; it shattered the old system and upended people’s lives as it ushered in a new normal. This sudden shift brought inconvenient rules and restrictions that greatly affected how people shopped, interacted, and lived. Many unbelievable changes occurred as humanity got thrust into a new and different world.

As a creative empath, it became increasingly difficult for her to concentrate and focus on painting and other artistic endeavors. She needed a more satisfying, permanent solution.

She had a few ideas. One was to move to another country. But then it wouldn’t do any good because the new reality was everywhere and inescapable. Another was to move in with family and live in their basement; however, she was claustrophobic, and their lifestyles were incompatible. And the third idea was to get on a spaceship and fly to the moon. Since none were feasible, she decided to go back to the drawing board and dig deeper. As she began pondering and planning her next move, her mind drifted to a more pleasant and simpler time. It was nice to escape mentally, if only for a moment.

Some of her fondest memories were going on camping trips with her family as a child. And how much fun she had gathering acorns and pinecones and roasting marshmallows over a campfire. Of course, sleeping in the tent and swimming in the lake was the icing on the cake. And there’s something special about eating on wooden picnic tables in the middle of nowhere in nature. Priceless. The outdoor adventures left a lasting impression and a longing to return there.

Then one day, out of the blue, she received a call from a raffle drawing representative declaring that she had won the raffle’s top prize. Eva’s jaw dropped in disbelief. The top prize was a remote cabin nestled high in the mountains. She had always loved nature and the simple life. And this would be the perfect place to get away from it all, a safe haven in the mountains. There, she could start over and create her own world filled with joy, contentment, and peace of mind, just like before the dreadful event.

Excited about her new life, Eva packed up her things, scooped up Sam, her cat, and headed to the cabin. Once out of the city limits, the drive became scenic and relaxing. She enjoyed looking out the window, snapping pictures, and making pit stops. One stop included a famous restaurant for dinner, where she ran into some fellow painters selling their artwork. One artist painted a picture of Sam as Eva enjoyed her meal. It was a cute acrylic painting of him sleeping on a balcony ledge. She bought two pieces of art and continued on her way.

When she arrived at her destination, it was as if she had stepped into another dimension. She immediately felt shielded from the outside world. The serenity, beauty, and fresh air filled her senses and soul. This charming cabin overlooking a turquoise lake and breathtaking scenery was a lovely gift for which she was so thankful. Eva felt relieved and at peace as she stood by the lake, taking it all in. Sam seemed happy as he rolled around on the ground, followed by a figure eight between her ankles.

As she entered her new home, it instantly became her happy place. In the forefront, a lit fireplace and a wood-burning stove. A bouquet of fresh-cut sunflowers was in the center of a small round kitchen table. And across the room was a desk neatly tucked in a nook where she could paint. A canopy bed with fluffy pillows and a colorful, cozy quilt was a welcoming sight for tired eyes. By choice, Eva disconnected from electronic devices, no computers, TVs, or cell phones, only a transistor radio, and a landline. The fewer distractions, the better. All she wanted was to paint, read, take long walks, sit on the porch and work in her garden.

One day while working in her garden, Eva received a visitor. She noticed a white butterfly flying around her head several times, then landing on her shoulder. She had never seen that color butterfly and was taken aback and wondered why it came to her. Maybe it was because Eva was an empath who was privy to signs and clues. She once read somewhere that they represent a spiritual meaning or sign. Perhaps it symbolized her freedom and new life. In any event, it was a pleasant encounter.

As she began attracting more signs and wonders like a magnet, something unusually bright caught her attention in the distance. As she drew closer, a mysterious white cherry blossom tree came into focus. She couldn’t believe her eyes, one of her favorites. But how did it get there? It didn’t really matter because it brought her joy. Eva and Sam spent the rest of their lives in this lovely mountain paradise, enjoying the cabin life and watching the beautiful sunsets. She was a happy camper who found her satisfying, permanent solution in a place where she felt safe and comfortable and never looked back.