Healing in the Riverway: Alli, 17 - "Red Flower"

When I see this flower I think of my life and how far I have gotten in life. I think of the dark green as my past and I am going to keep growing just like this flower. How much I have changed through life. I always thought that red meant angry, furious and aggressive, but looking at this flower I think of love and relief and relaxation. I don’t think of all the regrets I have or the problems I am going to have to face. In this moment right now I feel loved, compassion, grace and happiness. I don’t feel hurt or broken, I feel whole. Like a new person. I know I still will have scars, but I know now to appreciate them. That life is the greatest blessing. I know that looking at this picture, I know I can breathe, I can feel loved, I can be calm in the midst of chaos, I can look forward without looking back at the way I came. I can go in the direction that was made for me. I am a completely a new person. Actually I am complete the way I was made. And I am proud to be the person I am today.
”Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in everyday”.

My name is Alli. I came to Passage because I was angry and self-conscious. The challenges I faced were that it’s not all about me all the time. Now I know how to use my coping skills when I’m angry. What I like most about nature photography is that you can take a photo and other people might take the same subject, but from a completely different perspective. I took photography classes outside of Northwest Passage, inside I learned more, and I hope to teach others when I leave.