We’ll Find A Way

Chapter 1, A New Beginning

“I can’t see the road,” Dad calls out. The roar of the car’s defrost makes it hard to hear him. Whirling wet snowflakes fall by the millions making it very hard to see. Winter, without considering the feelings of passing motorists, is busy putting on its show. Large heavy snowflakes land in clumps on the cloudy windshield before being removed by the wipers. It’s almost a game between the two of them. The wipers pass, momentarily clearing a space, and then the snowflakes return in great numbers. On and on they compete and repeat their game.

I love the snow. It’s hard not to like. It covers everything, and brings its own sense of quiet magic as it muffles the sounds of everyday noise. Plus, it brings outdoor fun and adventure. Always in the back of my mind is the possibility of school being canceled!

On this day, however, the winter scene added to my feelings of excitement and anxiousness. Rush hour traffic is slower than usual. “I’m glad people are using their brakes,” Dad calls from the front seat, “it makes it easier to see where the cars are.” With respect to his positive attitude, I have a feeling this trip is going to be much longer than we expected. Gray skies quickly turn black as night descends. Still we creep along. I shift my position to give my tired muscles a change. Beth, my two-year-old sister, is strapped into her car seat and sleeping soundly. With her head tilted towards her shoulder, her arms relaxed by her side, and her slow measured breathing, she is a picture of peace. Looking around her I make eye contact for a moment with my other sister Carrie, who is seven years old and a year younger than I. For whatever reason, perhaps our close ages, we share a common bond and often think alike. Looking in her direction, I raise my eyebrows quickly. Seeing her return the expression makes me think that we are thinking the same thing which is, “What are we getting ourselves into?”

Our adventure into the unknown is just beginning. I look out the window, and as I do, my mind returns to the third floor apartment, the only place I have called home for my entire eight year life. In day dream land, I play the tape again in my memory of the meal we had weeks ago as our family sat together around the dinner table.

“Well, children,” my father begins, “I've decided to accept a position as a pastor of a small church.” Pausing for a moment, he adds, “It’s a ways away from here.”

The news did not come as a complete shock. After all, this is what his seminary program was preparing him for. The thought of change actually taking place, however, made me feel uncomfortable. I was slow to give any sort of comment. Up until this moment, I had never given a thought to living any other life than the one we enjoyed in the busy and crowded city. All of this would be altered. This chapter of my life was coming to a sudden end.