<b>
Traveling on (a story set to James Newton Howard's "Flying" from Peter
Pan, available on iTunes) </b>
I looked out the bus window, my heart sinking. I was leaving so much
behind. Still, I had a great deal of hope for what life had in store for
me out west. The bus moved slowly at first, but picked up momentum as
we rolled out of town on the dusty main street. [[Move at 0:43]]
Once
out of town, the highway stretched on before us, and the horizon seemed
endless. I was never so uncertain about what lay before me, and yet I
was trying to pretend it was all okay. [[Move at 0:56]] I found myself in a small row-boat sailing down a quickly-moving river. [[Move on at 1:24]]Somehow
I summoned the courage to beg the driver to stop the bus. I got off at
the side of the road, clutching my backpack. [[Move at 1:24]]My head was spinning as I watched the bus drive away. [[Move at 1:39]]Wanting
to catch my breath and think about what I'd just done, I sat at the
side of the road for a few minutes. Would I regret getting off that bus?
[[Move at 1:47]]Somehow, I felt drawn to do it. I guzzled some water, strapped on my backpack, and drew my breath. [[Move at 1:55]]With a sly smile on my face, energized by my new adventure, I began to run. I was running home. [[Move at 1:59]]I ran for what seemed like forever. [[Move at 2:11]] My joints ached. But my heart ached more. [[Move at 2:15]]As
I saw the dim lights of the small town I'd just planned to leave, I was
filled with excitement. They twinkled as though to welcome me back.
[[Move at 2:20]]My heart was beating faster and faster as I approached the town limits. [[Move at 2:27]]As
night approached, it all seemed so clear. I breathed in the night air
and realized I could not leave now. I walked with purpose, and prepared
to knock on the door. [[Move at 2:48]]As I breathed in the night air, and prepared to knock, I wondered how I would explain my decision. [[Move at 3:04]]For now, however, I was the only one who needed to understand. As
I looked around the empty bus, clutching my backpack, I wondered if I'd
made the right decision. Thoughts swirled around in my mind, and I
followed scenario after scenario, as I'd been doing for months. The
unbearable humidity of the afternoon sun and the rocking of the bus:
...lulled me to sleep. [[Move on at 1:08]]
OR
...forced me out of my seat. I ran to the front of the bus. [[Move at
1:08]]The
boat began to spin in circles- it was exhilarating at first, but soon I
realized I had very little control over its movements. [[Move on at
1:39]]Grabbing
an oar, I tried to gain control and was initially successful in guiding
the boat in a straight path. [[Move on at 1:47]]But
the river had other plans. I saw a waterfall ahead, and knew I had to
jump out of the boat if I were to survive. [[Move on at 1:55]]Jumping
out of the boat, I began to swim but the current was strong. Several
times I was pulled under, and was left gasping for air. [[Move on at
1:59]]But
I summoned up the courage to swim hard toward the shore, aware of the
waterfall ahead. I gave it all I had, keeping my eye on the shore.
[[Move on at 2:11]]Suddenly,
the jolting of the waves shook me out of my dream state. I was several
hours into my bus journey westward. [[Move on at 2:15]]My heart raced as I looked out the window and realized I'd arrived at my destination. [[Move on at 2:20]]I gathered my things, and stepped off the bus. [[Move on at 2:27]]The
city was so spectacular: its lights, its energy, the millions of
people. I'd left a great deal behind, but the promise of a new life here
was calling to me. [[Move at 2:48]]