Can't Go Back

I’m so glad my husband is such a good driver. Not going to lie, sometimes he makes me nervous (like when he drives as if he’s back in the Dominican Republic 😂), but overall, I trust him to get us where we need to go safely.

On our way to my parents' house to celebrate Thanksgiving, we hit some gnarly Utah weather—rain, snow, and ice all within 10 minutes—while driving up a winding, steep canyon. Cars coming down the opposite direction were sliding into our lane, and others going the same way as us were swerving left and right, struggling to stabilize on the icy roads.

I’ll admit it: I’m not the calmest person when it comes to driving in bad weather. Even as a passenger, I couldn’t help but feel flustered and panicked as the storm worsened and the chaos of sliding cars surrounded us. Let’s just say I wasn’t the most calming presence in the car. But my husband, Geovanny, stayed cool and collected.

At one point, we and several other cars were stuck behind a young driver trying to make it up a hill. Her wheels were spinning helplessly in place, and it was clear her car wasn’t equipped for the conditions. Each of us had to carefully maneuver past her, praying we wouldn’t slide into her—and hoping we could keep our own traction to make it up the hill without getting stuck ourselves.

Turning back wasn’t an option. It was too dangerous to try with the oncoming traffic. The only way was forward.

Through all of it—rain, snow, ice, chaotic drivers, and, well, me—my husband kept his calm. He navigated the storm with focus and composure, getting us safely to our destination.

That drive was intense. But it also reminded me of something profound: sometimes, life forces us to push through the storm.

You Can’t Always Turn Back

Sometimes, we can’t turn around when things get hard. In life, we face storms we’d rather avoid, but the only way through them is forward. Sure, there are moments when it’s wise to pivot and change direction, but more often than not, we can’t keep looking behind us. No matter how good the “good old days” might seem, progress only happens when we focus on where we’re headed. We blend the beauty of our past with the brightness of our future.

Finding Beauty in the Chaos

Even in the middle of a storm, we can find beauty if we look for it. As tense as that drive was, I remember the breathtaking sights we passed: snow lightly covering the autumn leaves, fog dancing over the lake, and sunlight catching on icy branches. Life is the same. In our hardest moments, there are always pockets of good—if we’re intentional about noticing them.

Through my toughest times, I’ve learned to seek out moments of gratitude. They’re always there: in people, nature, books, faith, and simple joys. What we focus on is what we’ll find. I am very intentional about finding the good and being grateful each day.

Anchors in the Storm

Geovanny is one of my anchors. In high-pressure situations, he stays calm when I have advanced emotions and I love that about him. We all need anchors—whether they’re people, God, or practices that help steady us when life feels overwhelming.

Moral of the Story:
The way we grow and learn in life is through the storms. Sure, we learn during the good times too, but the lessons that truly change us come when we’re tested. Whatever storm you may be in right now, I want to encourage you:

• Keep going forward. The storm won’t last forever, and you’ll come out stronger on the other side.

• Look for beauty and gratitude along the way. It’s always there if you choose to see it.

• Find your anchor—someone or something that keeps you steady through the turmoil.

You’ll make it through. The storm won’t last forever—and when it clears, you’ll see how far you’ve come. You're amazing!

Erica ❤️🌺