Texas Strong: A Tribute to Life

-A reflection inspired by sorrow, written for those who carry light forward. This is Texas Strong.

A Quiet Pause in the Season

Although summer memories tend to be inviting, visions of laughter, sometimes life’s storms challenge us to find the rainbow after the storm. When that happens, we have to hold space for stories placed on pause. We also need to embrace memories that rise like warm embers in unexpected moments.

Evergreen Yuletide launched on July 1st with the goal of celebrating Christmas in July. In fact, the next blog was going to be a Part 2 on planning a joyful celebration. Because of this sorrowful turn of events in the Hill Country of Texas, Christmas in July planning is on hold for a few more days.

On a day that Americans celebrate freedom, natural disaster struck. As a result, what began as a joyful day, ended in sorrow, confusion and fear. In these moments, we reach out in many ways. For instance, we seek to console and be consoled. We pray, ask questions, cry, and mostly remember those now gone.

Subsequently, an opportunity presented itself to me in a Facebook group of which I am a member, namely, Artfully Yours AI Creations. This group creates and shares AI images and fulfills requests made by others. Specifically, they seek to bring joy to people’s days and fulfill many requests to design something to help people through some trying times as well. Every once in a while, a request touches me, and I feel compelled to design an image with words from my heart. The request for an image that reflected Texas Strong was one such request.

In fact, this moment shifted the path forward, and inspiration burst forth in words creating the main image. Inspiration embellished it with symbols embodied by the spirit of Evergreen Yuletide. Shaped not just by sorrow, this image represents the vivid joy each life brought to their families and to the world.

Texas Strong Image Symbolism

• Yellow roses bloom for remembrance and enduring love.
• The bridge stretches toward healing and renewal.
• Cranberries, pine, and golden threads quietly stitch together a legacy of faith and resilience.
• A silver-green background reflects remembrance and the gentle return of light.

Additionally, the thread of grief presents itself in most of my creations – it weaves its way quietly into each design and each sentiment; however, it is not the story itself. Evergreen Yuletide grew not from despair, but from the steadfast search for joy beyond it.

A Moment of Reflection

Consequently, these moments display the best and worst of behaviors in human beings. In other words, some put together a noun and a verb to create an uplifting statement, while others do so just to cause an explosion of words reflecting an opinion instead of love.

At some point in life we have all loved and lost. Let us remember not only how they left, but how they lived. In other words, think about the joy they brought, the stories they told, and the quiet ways they changed the world. What’s more, these individuals continue to live in and through our hearts. Heaven is as close as our hearts.

Free Download: Texas Strong Tribute Artwork

A Daily Reminder

To wrap up, in a world that teaches us to go big or go home, let us learn instead to cherish the small moments that provide lasting joy and memories. Time flows in only one direction. Once it has passed, we don’t get it back. Let us be present to one another doing whatever little things that we can. The future is never guaranteed. If we wait for that “big” moment, someone might not be there. “I love you” is more than words. Namely, it is a compilation of little things we do that show compassion and mercy. Go little and find joy!

Final Thought

Finally, whether you’re lighting a candle, recalling a shared laugh, or simply holding someone close in thought – may your season be rooted in love, refreshed with hope, and warmed by joy that refuses to fade.

Love you with the Heart of Christmas,

Paula

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