Crazy things happen in life. How might these be
explained? You may need help in finding the answers.
The world can become dark before the light
shines again and illuminates the direction in which you must go. But a time comes when
you know . . .
I Found My Way
The
clouds blanketed the sky. These fluffy white creatures flowed gently through
the air. I stared in awe. Then I heard screaming coming from behind me.
“Jacob,
what are you doing standing on the front lawn in your underwear?”
“Huh?
Front lawn? Underwear? Not me.”
“Well,
look down, Your socks are soaking wet from the dew on the grass. And you’re not
wearing pants.”
“But
I’m going for a walk.”
“You’re
what?”
“A
walk, just around the block.”
“An
almost naked person strolling through the neighborhood. Someone’s going to call
the police.”
“For
what? I’m not allowed to walk anymore?”
“Not
when you’re undressed!”
This
didn’t make any sense to me. It was a beautiful day. Blue skies everywhere. No
sign of the rain that flooded the streets the past week. I stepped off the lawn
onto the driveway. I felt invigorated. It was a new day and I was a new person.
I
pranced down the street. Life was great. Then a car pulled over to the curb and
its window rolled down.
“Hey,
Jacob, where’re you going?” a male voice echoed in my ears.
I
ignored it and continued walking.
“Jacob,
it’s me, Eddie,” the voice blurted.
I
smiled, but said nothing. I was too preoccupied to get involved with a
passerby.
“Jacob,
you’re not dressed,” the voice shouted. “Get in the car and I’ll take you
home.”
Without
turning my head, I replied, “My mother told me never to speak to
strangers—never!”
“But
I’m not a stranger. I’m your neighbor, Eddie, from down the block.”
I
didn’t pay any attention. His words flowed through the air as if being pulled
by an airplane. And I danced toward the corner. As I turned onto Heavenly
Valley Lane, an elderly woman peered at me in dismay.
“Are
you lost?” she asked.
“No.
I’m found.”
“Found?
What are you talking about?”
“Why
do you want to know?”
“Because
it appears you need help.”
“Help?
How did you come to that conclusion?”
“Well,
you’re not fully dressed.”
“How
can you say that?”
“You’re
not wearing pants.”
“Yes,
I am.” I smiled and wiggled my butt.
“But
those are underpants. You shouldn’t be out and about like that.”
“You’re
not my mother, so keep your opinions to yourself.”
“Where
do you live?”
“That’s
none of your business.”
“I’m
just trying to help you.”
“I
don’t need your help,” I stated emphatically, stuck my nose in the air, and
left her standing there bewildered.
A
slight wind blew through my hair. I was on a mission and nobody was going to
prevent me from completing it.
“You
are on the right track,” a melodious female voice chanted.
But I
had no clue where it was coming from or what she was talking about. “Track,
what are you saying?” I inquired. But there was no response.
Then
I heard a siren in the distance. Did someone call the police? Maybe I needed
to go home, I thought.
I
started to turn around, but before I could, I heard the comforting, soft
woman’s voice again. “Remember, you’re on a mission—one you must complete.”
Stunned,
I believed she must be right. It was what I needed to do, for it would change
my life.
As I
plodded down the street, a car pulled over to the curb. A lady yelled, “Jacob,
I thought you were lost. Now get in the car. We have to go home.”
I
started to say something, but the sound of the siren got louder. I’ve got to
get out of here, I believed. But then an ambulance raced by and I knew I
wasn’t going to be arrested.
Not
looking back at the car, I started to run. As the day wore on, it became chilly
and my naked legs began to shake. Going home was an option, but I knew, in my
heart, it was not the appropriate choice.
“Keep
going, you’re almost there. Your mission will be fulfilled,” the mysterious,
female voice said in a way that empowered me.
“I
am?” I asked.
“Yes,
you are?”
“But
how will I know?”
“Relax.
Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. The picture will become clear.”
“Picture?
What picture?”
“You’ll
see.”
I
knew I had to listen to her. She would make everything right. And my mission
would be complete. But things don’t always go as you want them to, for the
woman, my savior, screamed, “Get out of here. Leave me alone!”
“Why
are you yelling at me?” I asked. It made me feel quite uncomfortable.
She
didn’t answer. But then I was driven to the edge of a cliff, the fall from
which I knew I might not survive.
“Don’t
do it!” my protector demanded. “You’ll regret it, if you do.”
“Okay,
I won’t,” I whimpered.
“Not
you, Jacob. Her!”
The
loudness of my guardian’s voice shook me out of the darkness of the hypnotic
trance I was in. A masked creature held a gun to my psychiatrist’s head and was
about to pull the trigger.
She
mumbled, “You’re the reason my husband left me. You ruined my life and you
deserve to lose yours.”
“But
I’m just his therapist, nothing more.”
Without
thinking, I jumped up off the couch and wrestled the gun away from the
intruder—my wife. She fell back and hit her head on the end table.
“Thank
you, Jacob. You saved my life and yours,” Dr. Marie murmured, with a sigh of
relief.
I
stood speechless. But with my mission accomplished, I knew I’d found my way.
Copyright
© 2025 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.
