The Long and Winding Road - A Repost for...

This was originally my Fifth Ripple, first posted in the Spring of 2010. I've since expanded it into a power point slide show for a speaking engagement and a photo book for my coffee table (and those of a few friends and relatives). I love the way Mariana's prompts make my mind take flight and create things that would never occur to me on my own. Thank you!

I've traveled on some winding roads in my life.

Sometimes I've known where I was going...

Sometimes there have been signs along the way to guide me...

Sometimes the road has been so dark and mysterious, that I wasn't quite sure where I was going until I got there.

Other times I've stumbled along until the fog broke only to be surprised at where I'd arrived.

Sometimes the road has been smooth and free of potholes.

At other times, it's been rough going.

Sometimes the road has been so steep that I've been scared to even try to climb it.

...Such a tight squeeze that I thought I'd never make it to the other side.

I've seen a vision at the end of some of the roads I've been on... far off, and faint, but still there, beckoning, calling... enticing me to travel on, no matter how weary I am...

I've traveled roads that have taken me closer and closer to my dreams...

Sometimes the door at the end of the road has been flung wide open, ready, waiting to welcome me home.

Sometimes I've found a door closed. A dead end.

Sometimes the road has told me it's time to stop chasing those foolish dreams, to turn around and back track a bit.

The road has been steep at times, with many hills to climb.

The road is straight and easy-going today.

But there have been times that the road was so full of twists and turns that I didn't know which way to go.

There have been times I've felt like I was going in circles...

Or caught in a maze that I just couldn't seem to find my way out of.

Sometime the road has been drenched in sunlight, the sailing, smooth.

At times, the road has been so cold, and frigid, and bitter...

That I probably shouldn't have even been out on the road in the first place.

Every once in awhile there's been a rainbow to show me I'm on the right path.

Sometimes there's been a nice place to rest along the way...

Or a view that takes my breath away...

And I know that it's all been worthwhile.

Sometimes I've driven for miles and hardly seen a soul...

Other times, the streets have been so crowded with people, all heading who knows where, that I've been tempted to hide until they all go away.

But I always seem to find a way through the maze.

And so I will keep on traveling, until the road leads me to my final resting place...

a heavenly home beyond compare.

But until then... well, sometimes the sweetest place really is home.

The Long and Winding Road by Sherrie Hansen

Chapter One... Home on the Range

Chapter Two... The Happy Wanderer

Chapter Three... Rocky Mountain High

Chapter Four... Country Roads, Take Me Home

Chapter Five... In His Time

Comments: 28

Granny Janny Apr 10, 2012, 3:07am UTC

I would like to feature this on Vicarious Vacations . Your photo essay is beautifully done.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 7:02am UTC

Thanks, Jan. I just added it.

Granny Janny Apr 12, 2012, 8:24pm UTC

I just featured it. Sorry for the delay.

Sherrie H. Apr 13, 2012, 12:49am UTC

Thanks! I'm very honored.

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Tim T. Apr 10, 2012, 5:13am UTC

BRAVO Sherrie! BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!

This is awesome. The wiriting and the photos worked together perfectly.

Thanks for sharing.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 7:02am UTC

Thank you, kind sir!

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Nancy S. Apr 10, 2012, 7:57am UTC

Wow Sherrie, this is so beautiful. What a great way to show and explain all those photos.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 9:39am UTC

Thanks, Nancy. I had fun taking them and playing with them.

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Julie (there will always be a rainbow) Gaskins Apr 10, 2012, 8:34am UTC

Amazing, Sherrie... so many times, you are an inspiration to me.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 9:40am UTC

Thanks, Julie. You do the same to me!

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Stirling D. Apr 10, 2012, 1:02pm UTC

Fantastic! I love the captions that make the journey down these roads so interesting. And some of the photos - wow! Great work.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 4:54pm UTC

Thanks, Stirling. There's a longer story behind each of the photos, too, but it was fun to use them each with just a snippet to work with the theme.

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Mariana T. Apr 10, 2012, 2:48pm UTC

Bless your heart - I needed a compliment today - many hugs to you and Ok when each of the sistahs has a book written - we'll have to have a book signing party somewhere - what do yall think? This is absolutely amazing Sistah Sherrie - even the third or fourth time it's viewed...Yes, you truly inspire many of us - next step for you and the other sistahs - inspirational speakers! Ok I think big and out of the box and we are all going forward in big ways taking tiny steps...so proud of you for all you do - I feel so lazy next to you and your accomplishments girl ! Thanks many times over for being part of our Shedding Light family! Salud

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 4:55pm UTC

Thank you. I meant what I said. You inspire me to think about things I never would on my own. It's been very good for me.

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Diane Huizenga Apr 10, 2012, 3:53pm UTC

That was amazing, I loved every word, every picture.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 4:56pm UTC

Thanks, Diane. I had fun putting it together, and remembering all those places I've traveled to.

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Otelia S. Apr 10, 2012, 4:39pm UTC

I felt that I traveled it along the way just from viewing it. Fantastic job on pictures. Thanks so much for sharing again.

Sherrie H. Apr 10, 2012, 4:57pm UTC

Thanks, Otelia. It was fun reliving those memories as I went down each road again in my mind.

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Sonia M. Apr 10, 2012, 6:28pm UTC

Brava, Sherrie...Your photos and captions go hand in hand so well...would love to learn more about several of them...maybe some day you will expand them... ;-)