The conclusion of the matter
Many years went by when a signal went out far and wide to report the death of Joseph. Many arrived to visit his home and walk the grounds to see the place where they had buried his ashes. The place on the trail had been prepared many years in advance. The marker there said, “Parts of trail may be impassible. Yeah right!” The marker made all who knew Joseph to smile. Those who were random visitors would be perplexed. Shaking his head and smiling Samuel noticed the perplexed look on some children.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” one of the kids asked their mother who also looked baffled. Samuel continued to shake his head and debated whether he should admit that he was eaves dropping or not. He wondered if it was his place to tell the story. Samuel scratched his balding head and nodded to his wife and she too shook her head. She had heard the story too many times and really didn’t want to hear it again. However, she did like the expression on Samuel’s face when he told it. This was his first of many visits to Tranquility.
Clearing his throat, Samuel asked, “I’m sorry but I couldn’t help but overhear the question. I know the answer if you would like to hear it?” The little family sat down on a bench.
“When Joseph was a young man he was out on a vacation with his wife, kids and his in-laws. As part of the adventure they stopped by a state park that had been a routine part of his wife’s childhood. There was a lake and the day was really beautiful. They had not come prepared to do any swimming, but someone noticed that there was a nature trail that went all the way around the lake. After some consultation whether or not the kids could make the 1.2-mile adventure it was decided to give it a shot. The youngest could be carried a bit and they would take turns if it really came to that. It was not long from the trail head when they saw a sign that said that ‘Parts of trail may be impassible.’ Joseph looked at his wife and kids and another meeting was called. After some laughter it was decided that if it really was impassible, they could just turn around. They would go as far as they could. Several times along the trail they came across a log or a small stream of water. Every time that they came to one of these ‘obstacles’ Joseph would laugh and say, ‘Part so trail might be impassible, yeah right.’ Joseph when he told the story would stop there to say that many times there are signs that seem like the trail ahead will be impassible and that we should simply turn around. Most of these are fakes and lies. If God has called you to go around the lake, then go around the lake. No matter how many signs tell you that ‘parts of trail may be impassible’ you must just say, ‘Yeah right.’ As the troopers continued around the trail, they came to a place that was actually a raging stream flooded by some recent rains. By the looks of it there was no way to get past this one. That is when they noticed that the park rangers were in the process of building a bridge and had laid two logs across the stream. Another meeting was called. They had already hiked a little better than mile. The children had been carried much of the way. Everyone was starting to get tired. ‘Let’s go for it.’ Joseph climbed up on the log and scooted his way across as the family rested. He wanted to make sure that this was the only part of the trail that was actually impassible. Coming back and having confirmed that if they got past this that they might get a little wet, but there was only a short hike from finishing the trip. Joseph scooted with his boys across. His daughter made her own way. Soon his wife, taking off her shoes, meanders over the log and safely arrived on the other side. The in-laws also carefully made their way over. Joseph would say that there actually is no such thing as an impassible trail. Sometimes you must get creative to get around, under or over and obstacle. Over the years I heard him say many times, ‘Parts of trail may be impassible, yeah right!”
Other visitors arrived over the course of the year. Eric stopped by to pay respects during a visit back to the states from the Uganda where he, his wife and kids had been living as missionaries. Eric was now disciplined and healthy. His family was stable and enjoyed the stability that comes from an adventurous and stable family.
Julie was among the first to hike the trail. Her life was unbelievable. After five years of running the 50’s restaurant as part owner, her partner turned over the whole operation to her. She had launched out and added a medieval restaurant that did not succeed. With the encouragement of her husband she invested in theme dining opportunities of all kinds. She had one that was a replica of a 1920’s club with swing music that was very successful. The 50s and 80s themes were always popular and did well. She added in movie themed attractions and now was passing on much of the day to day operations onto her daughter.
Sarah never came to see Tranquility. Rarely did she even think of Joseph as she now was the CEO of a major hotel chain. Long since divorced she was lonely and even though she often put a happy mask on everywhere she went, she was secretly miserable. Her husband Mike though had come many times. After the divorce he took Joseph’s course and was now remarried and owned a small construction business that mostly did remodels. He was fully content.
Now you my friend. What will be your story? How should we tell your tale? Invest in yourself and experience a full and complete life. Invest wisely.
