Time Does Not Heal All Wounds—the image

This is not the final image.

This is the only image on the “Journey” that isn’t final. Still, it was evident from the beginning that this old wagon on an abandoned homestead represented lost dreams and broken hearts.

I love old cabins and ghost towns. The sense of history brings wonder and curiosity. What brought these people here is often easy to see but what were their lives like and, more importantly, why did they leave? When I see something like a wagon sitting by an old cabin I have to wonder if they left in such a hurry that they couldn’t be bothered bringing a perfectly good item like that? And wouldn’t they need the wagon to haul their stuff? Did they all die at the same time or decide to up and leave the hard ranching life and head out for the latest gold strike? Did they have too many wagons?

This was an established homestead with several outbuildings and cross fencing. A lot of life was lived here. A lot of pain was felt here. Yes, I’m sure there was a lot of laughter here too but at the end of it all there is an empty home and empty stalls and a perfectly good wagon sitting out front. (was the wagon the reason they left?)

This homestead sits upon the land like an open sore that refuses to heal. Just sitting there, not going away. A constant reminder of a life that is no more. A wound that is still bleeding, in the way of peace and contentment.

I have heard terms like “living in the past” or “get over it” so many times I lost count long ago. The problem is the wound is still here, still present and bleeding all over the place. It is not unusual for someone with good intent to accidentally poke a finger in the wound in an attempt to “fix me” or worse, intentionally pour salt in it causing me to flinch and cry out.

Fortunately, this is where a journey can begin, not end. It is possible to heal. The wounds become scars and the scars are the writing of our story. They tell of the journey we have taken. They are the written lines of the past. Those who see them know that we have been places and done things—incredible things.

Some of us have seen things no one should see and experienced things no one should experience. It is not time that heals these things. For these things time does not even numb. It is a journey that heals.