Annie Ruby Falls...Where God Lives

Annie Ruby Falls…Where God Lives

Years ago, I told a guy I was dating that I wanted to take him to where God lived.  Of course, he laughed and indulged my offer for a day trip.  I told him we would not leave the state of Georgia, but do expect a bit of a drive.  He had no idea I was taking him to one of the most beautiful and serene areas in the state.

I was roughly 16 years old when I first saw where God lived.  As the Senior Class President, I was often invited to attend city-wide meetings with other student leaders.  This trip, however, was set for an entire weekend, out of the city.  We were headed to Helen, Georgia, a place my parents had never visited.  Although, my mother and her friends were faintly familiar with the name Unicoi State Park and Lodge, none of them had been there.

Scared and nervous, mainly because I was away from home--and headed to an unknown place--I quickly found my smile widened as the mountain-surrounded structure called Unicoi Lodge appeared through the soft falling snow.  I had never been skiing nor I had I ever been to a ski lodge.  But surprisingly, I thawed and began to feel right at home.  Walking through the conference center, passing the large warm fireplace, I knew I would return one day to show family and friends this enormous building in the heart of the north Georgia mountains.

An hour later, after settling in our rooms, we were told to prepare for a side-trip to the Alpine Village in Helen, a German-inspired wonderland.  The Village made me feel like a character in the movie, The Sound of Music.  There was European food, drink and handmade toys, along with authentic music one would normally hear sweeping throughout the Alps.  The trip was incredible, but the next day, we were headed to a most tranquil place.

We left out early that morning.  All of us told to wear comfortable walking shoes, ones we didn’t mind getting wet.  Such an odd request I thought.  We walked and paused, taking in the trees and natural, unspoiled setting.  With every step, the sound of rustling water grew louder.  The sound wasn’t scary.  I was simply curious.  Where were we headed?  I had only heard of a waterfall, never seen one up close.  And then it appeared!

Half rainbows and pounding waters, not one but two merging, powerful downspouts of roaring waterfalls.  Wow!  It was magnificent.  The power of God was here.  The brilliant light, the cooling sprays of water hitting the creeks below.  I’m struck with silence.  Take it all in.

Years later, the man I was dating was having the same experience.  He, too, fell silent.  Looking back and forth from me to the waterfall.  He shouted in a whisper towards me....you’re right, this is where God lives.

For those of you who can, do visit Annie Ruby Falls in Helen, Georgia.  And for those of you in other states, take time to visit local waterfalls.  It’s a trip you will never forget.  You will find peace in a godly place.

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com  January 26, 2017   "Annie Ruby Falls…Where God Lives"   Volume 2, Blog 1b [vol. 2, 1-1c].

"Hillary Rodham Clinton: Leader Amongst Olympians "

"Hillary Rodham Clinton: Leader Amongst Olympians"  

Saying goodbye to President Barak Obama hasn't been easy.  We, the People, spent over a year listening to speeches, advertisements and comments to help us decide who to vote for next.  A decision had to be made about who would represent us, the American People, for the next 4 years.

On a long and exhausting November Tuesday in 2016, we made the right decision, a very popular decision to support and vote in Hillary Rodham Clinton as our next American President.  We made the right decision, the intelligent decision, the only sane decision.  We voted to finally have the first female candidate for the Democratic Presidential ticket serve as our commander and chief.  We voted for Hillary, the most well-qualified candidate in modern history to run for the position of President.

We voted for you, Hillary...and Hillary...you won.

Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.  She did not win by 10 votes or 10,000 votes.  She won by millions of votes.  She is the President of the People.  She is Madam President. 

I don't need permission to say that I supported her.  I don't need approvals or endorsements.  I wanted to vote for her because I wanted her to win.  She was the best and most qualified candidate, period. 

Hillary Clinton has a talent I will never have as a woman.  I would not know how to control my hurt and anger while having to endure a public scandal as a wife, mother and sitting First Lady.  I would not know how to pick myself up, brush myself off and have the nerve, experience and confidence to run for state office and win.  I would not know how to work daily amongst evil-intentioned people determined to bring down my values, my family and life goals in a city miles and miles away from the comfort of my family's love and friends' compassionate arms. 

And most certainly, I would not know how to stand tall after defeat, awaiting God's wisdom and vision to place me out in the world to learn even more in preparation for the global stage.  I would not know such inner strength.  I could come close, but never arrive within even an inch of the strength and courage of Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

Hillary Clinton ran for the position of President of the United States, not once but twice.  Hillary Clinton stood against campaigns and opponents that only oral histories will do justice in telling fairly.  For what Hillary Clinton endured and survived required nothing short of divine destiny, prophetic contribution to an American mythology that will flow down in history from generation to generation. 

Hillary Clinton ran for the Presidency.  She is a Zeus, an Athena, and worthy of the mythological golden wreath.  She is Hillary, leader amongst Olympians.  She is leader of the People.

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com  January 12, 2017   "Hillary Rodham Clinton: Leader Amongst Olympians"   Volume 2, Blog 1a [vol.2, 1-1c].