Following the Flow of Fate

Did you know the Green Day song Wake Me Up When September Ends? I used to listen to it without associating any personal meaning until I had my own September tragedy.

Amid severe mental and physical health issues, another pack of life lemons was thrown at me when my house burned to the ground on September 29, 2024. In less than an hour, I had lost the house I grew up in and two cats to the raging fire. On top of that, I also lost my job and a 20-year friendship to a series of major betrayals, all happening within a few months. It is just the right hefty amount of cherries to go with the lemonade, isn't it?

In addition to finding new jobs and recovering from various traumas, I have been busy helping my family with the reconstruction of our house. With my brother's wedding underway, we are on a deadline; other life pursuits have to take a backseat.

Not everything is bleak, though. I have been writing more frequently to polish my skills. I am currently working on my first novel manuscript. Alongside a personal project, I am also helping another writer build and expand a fictional universe. So yes, the massive jug of cherry lemonade does have some sweetness to it.

Am I hopeful? Yes. Am I in a hurry? Not really. With the understanding that good things come at the right time, I am trying to remain calm and let fate flow into place.

I've lost access to Adobe Photoshop and cannot afford subscription fees. I have tried using Krita, but I need more time learning it. Until then (or I find a different app that I enjoy learning and using), I will be using Canva and its free resources to create most of my digital illustrations like this one.

Bonus content:

• Writer's Digest - A Year of Writing Prompts to remedy your writer's block and keep your words flowing