FREEBIES

Coming Home with Shouts of Joy Freebies

Photos From the Book

My sweet hometown was hit so hard, and it will truly never look the same again. Just like the poems, I’ve gathered these photos into two parts. Part one is hard to look through because of the loss and destruction. Part two will remind you of how truly beautiful this world is. While most of the photos from part two were taken before the hurricane, and some of these places no longer look the same, I still wanted to include them in this book. I truly believe the mountains of Western North Carolina will be awe-inspiringly beautiful again, just like these photos.

Part One

It Rained—King Street, Boone, NC, flooding on the morning of the hurricane. Photo credit to Watauga County In the Know Facebook Group.

It Rained—Burnsville, NC, the flooding directly across from my grandparent’s house. I was convinced their creek would take their house, but the water flowed in another direction. Photo credit to Josh Ramsey.

It’s Not the Same—Mitchell County, NC, the tree that would have hit my dad if he hadn’t taken a step back. Photo credit to James Ramsey.

Cold Ginger Ale—Burnsville, NC, my brother and his neighbor cutting trees out of the way on their road so they can get out. Photo credit to Halle Ramsey.

Why Can’t I—Boone, NC, NC Baptists on Mission Disaster Recovery Team set up at Perkinsville Church. They mobilized volunteers for 2 months out of the church to help with cleaning up from Helene. Photo credit to Caroline McCrorey.

Why Can’t I—Boone, NC, NC Baptists on Mission Disaster Recovery Team and volunteers working on a house flooded during Helene. Photo credit to Caroline McCrorey.

Watching M*A*S*H with You—Burnsville, NC, one of the many helicopters that came to the rescue after the hurricane. Photo credit to Sheryl Briggs.

Watching M*A*S*H with You—Burnsville, NC, a helicopter about to land in a church parking lot right below my parents’ house. Photo credit to Sheryl Briggs.

I’ve Got the Whole World in My Hands—Burnsville, NC, an RV that washed up into a church in the Pensacola area. Photo credit to Seth Edwards.

I’ve Got the Whole World in My Hands—Burnsville, NC, the hole cut into the ceiling of the Egypt-Ramseytown fire department by people seeking refuge from the storm. Click here to watch this happening on video. Photo credit to Josh Ramsey.

I’ve Got the Whole World in My Hands—Burnsville, NC, Egypt-Ramseytown fire department after the water receded. Photo credit to Josh Ramsey.

This Can’t Be the Right Way—Burnsville, NC, Micaville Loop flooding during the hurricane. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

This Can’t Be the Right Way—Burnsville, NC, the other side of Micaville Loop flooding during the hurricane. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

This Can’t Be the Right Way—Burnsville, NC, Micaville Loop flooding during the hurricane. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

This Can’t Be the Right Way—Burnsville, NC, Micaville Loop as the water was receding. The pile of debris next to the building still standing was the Post Office before Helene took it away. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

This Can’t Be the Right Way—Burnsville, NC, what Micaville Loop looked like for months after the hurricane. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

More Than a Moldy Pile—Burnsville, NC, the makings of the pile my parents put beside the road after cleaning out their basement. This is the sleeper sofa mentioned in the poem. Photo credit to Barbara Ramsey.

As the Trees Begin to Bloom—Burnsville, NC, a visible “scar” on a mountain left over from a landslide during the hurricane. Photo credit to Lila Hughes.

Is This Our New Reality?—Burnsville, NC, the upturned watertank referenced in this poem that sat at the end of Micaville Loop until it finally got cleaned up six months after the hurricane. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

Seeing God Every Day—Burnsville, NC, neighbors helping each other clear and stabilize a section of HWY 80 right before Poplar Grove. Photo credit to the Burnsville Hub Facebook Group.

Seeing God Every Day—Burnsville, NC, one of many free book giveaway events in Burnsville hosted by the 21st Century Packhorse Librarians after the hurricane. Photo credit to Kirsten Crawford.

Seeing God Everyday—Burnsville, NC, Kirsten Crawford, the founder of the 21st Century Packhorse Librarians at a book giveaway event in Burnsville after the hurricane. Photo credit to Kirsten Crawford.

Seeing God Everyday—Burnsville, NC, an Appalachian Anna doll amidst the debris from the hurricane. Click here to learn more about Appalachian Anna dolls. Photo credit to Angela Tilsher.

Seeing God Every Day—These numbers show how many Appalachian Anna dolls have been delivered to girls in each area as of April 2025. The numbers are higher now. Image credit to Angela Tilsher.

Part Two

Burnsville, NC, a beautiful sunrise the day after the hurricane, looking off my brother's front porch. A reminder that light always comes after the storm. Photo credit to Halle Ramsey.

Burnsville, NC, trees beginning to flower and bloom in Bee Log at the end of my cousin’s driveway. Photo credit to Karmen Ramsey.

Burnsville, NC, a beautiful close-up shot of some flame azaleas. Photo credit to Savannah Edwards.

Burnsville, NC, the South Toe River on a beautiful summer day. Photo credit to Betty Briggs.

Blue Ridge Parkway, a breathtaking shot of Crabtree Falls. Photo credit to Savannah Edwards.

Burnsville, NC, river rocks in the South Toe River. Photo credit to Savannah Edwards.

Burnsville, NC, a sunny summer day in the Celo area. Photo credit to Savannah Edwards.

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