The Hope We Plant Along the Way

Most days, I head out for a walk at lunch, apple in hand. I tend to finish it around the same spot, tossing the core into a vacant lot before carrying on.

I started this little ritual eight years ago, when Landing Strong was just beginning. Back then, we were planting a seed of hope: a belief that veterans and first responders could have a warm community in which to reconnect, recover, and rediscover what might be possible in their lives.

This spring, something stopped me on my familiar route.

A row of apple trees stood covered in blossoms, spaced almost as though someone had carefully planted them. Each was about the same distance from the road.

About as far as I could throw an apple core.

I smiled.

All these years, those discarded apple cores had been growing into something beautiful – and so had Landing Strong. What began as a seed of hope had become the thriving community it is today.

It made me think about recovery.

We go for a short walk. Reach out to someone we know. Attend a group when staying home feels easier. Practice speaking to ourselves with a little more kindness.

These efforts don’t always feel significant in the moment. Some days, we wonder whether they matter.

But over time, they can take root and grow into connection, confidence, and possibilities we couldn’t have imagined at the beginning.

Eight years ago, I didn’t picture apple blossoms lining that vacant lot. Nor could I fully imagine the community Landing Strong would become.

Sometimes, hope begins with something very small.

And sometimes, we round a familiar corner and discover just how beautifully it has grown.

If you’re looking to plant some seeds this Fall, we still have room in many of our upcoming group programs. For more information, reach out to Julie at 902-472-2972 or jwells@landingstrong.com.