Life's Journey
by Jack Parker
I grew up in the small town of Guildhall where things moved slowly. The streets were composed of dirt that glistened in the bright sunlight, those streets were my pathways to everywhere I wanted to go. I lived on a farm with my father who I was very close to, after chores around the farm were done we would go fishing. Horn pouting was my favorite, we would sit along the embankment catching these spiky creatures. They were an odd fish, feeding along the bottom on algae. As we pulled them up through the muddy water, their spikes dragged along the vegetation. My father taught me how to pull the hook out without getting punctured by the spikes of the fish. When the sun began to set we went back home and had dinner.
Parties and dances were held in neighboring towns, I was sixteen and it was the best time of my life. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were gravitated towards the bright flashing lights and rock and roll filled gymnasium. The music filled my brain with crazy teenage thoughts of love and fun. We danced and laughed all night long until our feet burned from the tiring movements. I drove home on those same dirt roads now covered in snow and ice, my boyfriend couldn’t drive because he was intoxicated, not much more than I was. I remember turning the winding corner at a speed not suitable, the car slid upon the snow and hit a deep snow bank. Luckily we were able to just keep driving and get home unscathed.
As summer came upon us I was looking into where my next step of life should be. I didn’t have any plans of going to school yet. I found my girlfriend was enlisting into the Air Force and I was inspired by the idea. Later that year we enlisted together. My basic training was in Texas where it was too hot for me, I craved the fresh air that New Hampshire had once offered me. My next move was to California where I met my ex-husband. We got married in Cali, and we were happy.
Soon I got orders to leave California and travel to Omaha where I would be stationed. I fretted this and couldn’t bear leaving my husband. Soon enough I found out I was pregnant with my eldest child William. I was relieved on medical discharge from the Air Force. I went back to Guildhall where I gave birth to William. A few years later I was gifted with Becky, my daughter.
Life was taking an unexpected turn and my husband and I started rolling down a rocky path. We ended up getting a divorce. After the divorce I wanted to travel. I went to the beautiful green hills of Ireland, and the Great Niagara Falls of Canada. I became even more independent after the divorce harnessing my true form. My children started to grow up and life was good.
20 years later my son had decided to go into the United States Army where he became a medic in the Green Beret. He was stationed in Afghanistan, the thought of him in danger troubled me. One evening I was watching TV and I heard that a helicopter had crash landed in Afghanistan killing all passengers. I immediately thought it was him, I felt the crushing pain within me. I was the happiest I had ever been when I found out he was not involved in the accident.
Now I am 85 and I’m thankful to look back on such a beautiful life. I spend my time watching TV late at night, and I come to the Luncheon to socialize and tell stories. My son is now 58 and has retired from the DEA. My daughter Becky now works for the town office. I want to teach the following generations that, “Life is what you make of it, it’s composed of your choices.”