Journey For Inner Strength

By Bugert Cynthia

The pain overwhelmed her and she could not imagine being able to go on with her life. Deep down she knew others faced things as hard, even harder, but her mind wouldn't wrap around it. She went to her favorite place and began am unexpected personal journey. A journey that would take her to meet others enduring the pain of life. Their struggles and triumphs help to give her the strength she needs to carry on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bugert Cynthia
• Release date: Jan 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301336326

Bugert Cynthia

As far back as my mind can reach I've been artistic. Whether it is drawing and painting, playing an instrument and singing, or writing a song, poem, short story, or even novel, my life revolves around the arts. In 1997 I dedicated my life to serving God. Since then my desire has been to create works that speak directly to the heart. Art that causes a person to feel Christ and to be filled with a passion to serve Him. In short; to bring glory to the Creator, for without Him, I would be able to create nothing.

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Journey For Inner Strength

Cynthia M. Bugert

Copyright 2013 by Cynthia Bugert

Smashwords Edition

Chapter 1: It Begins

What a glorious day! It was the morning I planted the maple tree. I was an excited young girl who wanted her own place to dream. For months, I had been asking mom if I could transfer one of the baby trees from the side yard to the back. Finally, the day came when she said it would be alright. I was so excited I could hardly breathe. She offered to help, but I had been planning this for weeks and was determined to do the job myself. It took quite a while and every time I looked toward the back door, there was mom with a crooked little smile on her face. I think she thought I would soon be begging for help, but my mind was set, and there was no way that was going to happen! I managed the whole thing completely by myself and when I had finished with the planting, I stood back to admire my work. I noticed mom had walked away from the door, so I walked over and grabbed a crisp clean towel from the clothes line, folded it haphazardly, and placed it at the edge of the tiny trunk. When I lay back onto it with my hands clasped behind my head, the tree suddenly became a big beautiful red maple. The leaves were magnificent to behold as they blew gently in the breeze.

I'm a dreamer at heart. All through my life, I can remember sitting outside under the maple tree thinking about things in this world. Sometimes, I would dream about my future; other times, things far less complicated would invade my mind. I don't know why I dream so much, but I do know that it's often hard to distinguish a dream from reality. And sometimes, I prefer the dream.

One bright sunny day, I took my place in the back yard under that big tree and began looking at the clouds. As most of us do at one time or another, I sat there trying to decide what a particular cloud looked like. As it moved across the sky, it continued to change. This metamorphosis caused my mind to start off on a new journey. Instantly, I found myself running through the sky, leaping from one amazing cotton puff to another. Each one changed as I jumped to it. I was riding on elephants and soaring on eagles. When I tired of jumping, I sat on a large golden throne and looked out over the world. It wasn't long before the throne became nothing but a big soft pillow. As I looked over the world, I rolled onto my stomach and began to realize how small I really was. I watched as people walked the streets of the big city. They all seemed to be in such a hurry. I wondered why they did not slow down, look up, and join me in the clouds. What could be so important? What was it that kept people from taking the time to really see the amazing world around them?

I was startled when a man carrying a briefcase looked up. He looked right at me and, before I knew what had happened, he was leaping across a herd of longhorns and laughing in a 'surprised he was here' kind of way. He yelled at me, asking if it would be okay for him to join me. Of course, I said he could and in just a few long leaps, he was beside me and dropped down onto his stomach. He looked into my eyes and said, Thank you. I asked him what for and he said, Let's just say, you helped me escape the chaos of that world, he pointed toward the city, and my life. Together, we looked back down at the world below. By now, we were floating on the back of a sea turtle and the city was fading into the distance.

Outside the city limits, we were amazed by rows and rows of the most beautiful wheat fields I had ever seen. I remembered seeing wheat fields on an after school special once when I was a kid. I remember thinking it was really neat how straight and tidy the rows looked from the airplane flying above and how hard the farmers must have worked to get them that way. As we floated on the white fluffy sea turtle above the fields, I wondered about the farmers. I wondered if they ever looked up. I asked the man beside me what he thought. He said, Oh, farmers most definitely look up. They always want to know what the weather will be like. You know, if it will rain or if it will be a day like today, with the most radiant sun glistening off of the clouds. As the words came from his lips, I noticed the tone of his voice didn't match the words he had said. It was like he had suddenly become very sad. He hadn't looked at me when he answered, but when he finished, he lifted his head. The hurt in his eyes tugged at my heart. His countenance had changed completely. It was like a darkness suddenly overtook him, and I wondered what could cause such a dramatic change in his mood. I didn't ask. I figured if he wanted to tell me, he would.

We drifted on for a while in silence, and I was beginning to feel bored. I looked up and saw a pteranodon flying above us. I jumped, deciding it would be fun to ride on the back of such a magnificent creature. The man with the briefcase watched as I left and instead of joining me, he said, Enjoy the ride, sweet girl. I think I'll stay here a while. Thanks again.

I leaned over and told him that thanks wasn't necessary and he should enjoy his journey as well. As I pulled myself back up, turning my head the direction the pteranodon was flying, I couldn't believe my eyes. For there, riding on the most beautiful stallion, was a farmer. I knew he was a farmer because he was dressed in overalls and had a long strand of wheat hanging from the side of his mouth. He smiled at me and asked, Where is the man in the suit you were sitting with a minute ago? He looked like he needed a friend or something. He looked very sad. I told him that I believed the man had his own journey to continue and it seemed he wanted to be left alone. He smiled and nodded in a way that made me think he agreed with my statement.

It wasn't long until my curiosity got the best of me and I asked him how often he looks up. He responded, Every time I walk outside. Days like today are perfect for traveling up here. Would you like to hear a story? I was eager to listen to his story so I invited him to hop on my pteranodon. He chuckled a bit and replied, You're not on a pteranodon, hon; you're riding in a '57 Chevy. I had one just like it several years ago. He looked to be pondering about it for a few seconds and then said, You know, I think that was my all time favorite car.At that, I looked around me and realized he was right. It was a beauty! He climbed into the passenger seat, placed his elbow on the door frame, and began spinning the strand of wheat between his fingers. Staring at the hood of the car, he started his story.

Chapter 2: The Farmer

Not too long ago, I was walking through my fields pondering my life. It had been a good one so far, with the usual ups and downs, but that day I was feeling lonely. You see, I had just lost the love of my life. She was beautiful, my wife. She had the most wonderful hair that curled around her face and a smile that radiated like the sun. When she laughed, it was like sprinkles of heaven reaching my ears. On the day that we met, I knew I would marry her one day. That day came fifty-two years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. He had a dreamy look in his eyes as he stared into the clouds overhead. He fingered the strand of wheat absentmindedly as he continued with his story.

I was walking along the path to the barn when my momma hollered at me that supper was ready. I washed my hands and headed for the house. Papa was already sitting at the table waiting for me to come in. We all knew there was work to be done, and we patiently waited for each other to finish so that we could eat together. There was never a day when we didn't all gather at the table, give thanks to the good Lord above, and eat supper. You know hon, that's what is missing in the kids today. They don't know what it is to be patient, work hard, or give thanks. He paused as if pondering what to say next. "I'm sorry, that was kind of a side step in my story. I'll get back to the day I met my wife.

That day, we had just finished our prayer when a woman came walking up the drive way with her daughter beside her. She was an amazing lady... the daughter. Her mom seemed nice, but I simply couldn't take my eyes off the girl. I introduced myself. By the way, have I told you my name, young one? To this I shook my head. Well, I'm sorry I forgot my manners. My name is Norm. I nodded and he went on with his story as if he had never stopped.

She told me her name, and it was the most beautiful name I had ever heard. Her name was Leah. When he said her name, tears welled up in his eyes and he removed a red handkerchief from his front pocket and dabbed at them. Then he went on with his story. Leah' s mom had been driving down the road and a tire had blown. They were both okay but wondered if we could go and help them. Before the words were completely out of her mouth, I had started toward the truck. I told them to go have a seat in the house and have a cup of tea. I'd get that tire fixed in a jiffy. Can I interject another thing I have noticed about the kids these days? I simply gave him a nod. No one has taught these kids to be helpful to others like they should, nor are they the least bit respectful to themselves or to their elders. I mean, walking around with their drawers hanging out shows they have no respect. Not even for themselves! His voice was rising as he expressed his opinion, And, get a haircut! Why do these boys think they need hair going down their backs and sloppy looking beards on their faces? Ever heard of a razor? They're just too darn lazy if you ask me. And I won't even get started on all that technology they're using. I don't know much about it, but I do know it keeps them locked up in their houses when they ought to be out playing ball... or doing chores! I smiled at the way he was getting himself all worked up. I felt the same way as he did about those things, but just as I was about to interject, he spoke again with a slight chuckle that told me he had decided to calm himself down and move on, "Okay, now that I got that off my chest, back to my story.

Momma hurried to the kitchen and brought out tea and then offered the ladies dinner. Momma was always ready for visitors. She loved having people over, and she was always generous. I tell you, she would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. Dad was the same way. I guess that's where I learned it. Hon, a word of advice, you always need to have a giving heart. There is always something you can give if you pay attention. Like right now, you are giving me more than you will ever know just because you're willing to listen to an old man tell his story. I wasn't sure how to respond to that, but it didn't matter; Norm didn't give me time to figure it out.

"When I came back to the house, I offered to drive the ladies back to their vehicle. They climbed in the truck, and we headed down the road. On the way, I asked if there was someone I should ask if I could court the young lady. Her momma informed me that her papa had passed on and then she gave me permission herself. Leah smiled that sweet smile. I asked them to come to breakfast in the morning. There was the best breakfast diner just down the road from the town's inn. They agreed.

I had no patience that night! I couldn't wait to see Leah the next morning. I remember my papa laughing at me. I didn't understand what he thought was so funny, but thinking back on that day, I know now. I must have looked as nervous as a lad getting ready to help his papa deliver his first calf! He chuckled to himself.

"After that breakfast, I could not stand to go one day without seeing my Leah. It wasn't long before we were married. And not long after that, the twins were born, Jeffrey and Jacqueline. Cutest things you ever saw! Jaci would never leave Jeff alone. I laughed a lot at the two of them. Jeff was a quiet sort. He kept to himself as much as Jaci would let him. He liked to go off on long walks. I don't know exactly what he did out there, though I supposed his walks were a lot like my time in the wheat fields. He always came back with a spring in his step and song on his lips. After his walk, he would immediately get busy on his chores. He was a very happy little guy. Never complained, just did his best to make everyone happy. He liked to read and write and whenever he got a free moment, that's what he was doing. He wrote stories that could stir up something in people. It was amazing, and I was a proud papa.

"Jaci, well she was a wild fire! Red hair, green eyes, and an attitude to boot! She was always pushing my buttons, so to speak! I had to tell her more than once every single day to do her chores. Her room always looked as if a tornado had gone through it. And her mama got a good laugh at the way I tried to get her to be like her brother. Leah would say, 'Norm, you know that child is the exact opposite of her brother, and you are just going to have to let her be who she is.' I would guess that advice is one of the better ones she had ever given me. Eventually, Jaci grew up to be the best lawyer around. My daughter, a lawyer. Well, I guess it fits. Did I tell you Jeff became a doctor? Yeah, but not just any doctor. He went overseas and brought medicine to young kids in orphanages. Those kids have been blessed tremendously by him. I guess Leah and I did a pretty good job training our little ones in the way they should go. I won't sit here and tell you it has