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Field Trip

Reader Contribution by D. Susan Rutz
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Life changes at any age can be devastatingly difficult. I recommend you do not attempt such a feat on your own; you need a friend. I have the best.

I needed the best too because not only was I making a move, I was making the catastrophic move of ending my thirty-four year marriage. It was more of escaping rather than ending, but let’s not nit-pick.

Before me lay a mountain of details, decisions and tasks that had to be performed in order for me to survive. First, there was a place to live; my friend offered a place in her home. Next, I had to actually declare my intentions and my friend was there to hold my hand, providing me the strength to accept the truth of my situation.

I admit I have trouble when a mountain looms in front of me. I struggle not to give up. There just appeared to be too many changes at one time to scale that big a hill. With my friend’s help I have made the leap of faith that life is going to be better and left the city for the country.

I’m talking farm life; chickens in the backyard country. Driving to my new destination was a field trip in itself due to the beauty of the land.

I was treated to soft green hills rolling along the highway; cows grazing, slowly working their way to a small pond or stream. Fields, some plowed exposing rich black soil, others barring crops, butting up against a grove of trees where in hides a farm house, porch, clothes’ line and children running free. Every house that peaked out from its protective shade tree covering bore an American flag. I felt like I was driving into the ‘American Spirit’ for the first time in my life. I felt freedom, not only from the wind blown fabric of stars and stripes but free to live in peace.

I found that peace in the quiet of a country evening. It is such a joy to see the stars again! For so long the city lights have denied me the glorious view of a night sky; a simple treasure hidden and hoarded in the country.

Without the support and love from my friend, Cheryl, I would still be facing a mountain and suffering the fear of taking that first step.

Thank you my friend, forever.