When we left off, Max and Anna were walking down an isolated train track 🛤 in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. They had disappeared 😕 into the fog 🌁 searching for their next adventure.
Once the fog had dissipated, and the sun’s 🌞 rays began to shine through the thick mystic green mountains, ⛰️
Max and I were getting hot and tired. We both sat down on the wooden slats of the railroad tracks. 🛤’What are we going to do now, Max?’ We have been walking on the tracks for so long now without seeing a single thing.
Earlier today, we had both reached into our quilted magical knapsacks, and to our shock, they were empty. ‘We have to find some food soon,’🍔 Max nodded. I wiped the sweat from my forehead, and I sure could use a bath. 🌊
After we had rested, we both nodded in agreement that we should keep going after all.🛤
Even though we were hungry, it certainly was a beautiful day.🌤 The birds🐦 were chirping, the bees🦥 were buzzing, and the sky was a clear blue with white fluffy clouds as far as the eye could see.⛅️
No sooner had we gathered our knapsacks than we could hear a sound in the distance🛤 ‘Look, Max,’ I said, pointing to some water cascading down into small pools and gathering under the rocks. ‘It must be coming from the top of the mountain.’🌳
Just then, the clouds began to thicken into a misty white fog that shimmered in the summer sun.🌞 Up ahead, the sweet, succulent smell of yellow and white honeysuckle blossoms
We followed the glorious scent until we finally reached a bridge, which led to the mouth of a cave, we both peeked inside. ‘Max, this looks like something out of a fairytale,’ I said aloud. We cautiously stepped onto the bridge, and as soon as we did, a refreshing waft of cool air began to surround us.
Down below was a deep, crystal-clear, blue-green lake. Up above, there were stalactites of shimmering, clear white quartz. As we got closer to the other side of the bridge, we saw more stalactites. Stalactites of every color of the rainbow: purple, pink, blue, and white.
they shined just like rubies or emeralds. What is this place? “I said aloud to Max, I’ve never seen anything like this.
Once we reached the end of the bridge, we stepped onto a small island with the lake surrounding us. To our right and off to the side, we saw a small, old, brown wooden pier; we could hear it creaking and cracking with each lap of the blue-green water. Along with an old wooden rowboat that was tied to it.
“Hmm, odd that this is here,” I said out loud to Max. “I wonder where it came from?” “Let’s take a look.” We both cautiously stepped inside as the boat creaked and cracked beneath us. I rowed out towards the middle; it was then that we could see some very large fish.
Our mouths watered at the sight below. “Boy, I sure wish we could catch some. Perhaps our magical knapsacks will get their magic back if we have something to fill them with. I wonder how we can. Perhaps I’ll make a wish.”
The fish didn’t seem like boring old normal ones; they almost seemed human as we watched them jumping, splashing, and playing. They actually seemed to be laughing. “They sure are having fun, aren’t they?”
Not too long after that, I seemed to notice that my knapsack felt much heavier. “How about yours, Max?” He nodded. “Perhaps my wish came true.”
Our stomachs were growling, so we opened the bag, and inside, there were plates and plates of steaming, crispy fried catfish. There were even side dishes of fluffy homemade biscuits slathered in butter and big heaping cups of freshly picked green beans. “The knapsacks are magic again!”
All they needed was some rejuvenation, kindness, and love from this special place, just like we did when we first stepped inside.
With our bellies full, we gathered our things together. We could still smell the sweet scent of honeysuckle blossoms as we walked back towards the bridge. Above us, the stalactites and stalemates suddenly began to twinkle and shine as if they were happily telling us goodbye and wishing us luck on our journeys
We waved back sad to leave this magical magnificent special place.
See what happens if you just believe
Max nodded, jumped into arms, and we gave each other a huge hug
We went back across the bridge content and were happy and thankful for the help.
As we got to the mouth of the cave, we felt felt warm and fuzzy all over, just like being wrapped in the comfort and security of a familiar blanket.
When we stepped back outside onto the train tracks with our knapsacks now full of food, dusk had begun to fall in the mystic mountains. The sun was setting below in soft pinkish colors.
The fireflies were illuminating the sky with a golden light, and the cicadas were buzzing in the trees. The fog once again
began to creep in around us. I suppose we should find somewhere to sleep soon, as.we continued down the tracks we I said out loud.
We both turned around to take one last look and we couldn’t see the magnificence cave anymore! It must have disappeared I exclaimed, ready to reappear to the next set of weary travelers.
And we vanished once again into the fog.
LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN WITH ANNA AND MAX 