One Last Step | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: One Last Step | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joyce Sykes
01/11/06
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Home! Would it be possible after all this time to return home? What would my Father say? It’s been such a long time. I can’t even remember the last time I spoke to him. So many things have happened since I ran away at the tender age of eleven. Every decision I made while on the run seems to have been so wrong and resulted in such pain. The mistakes seemed even worse now, with the thought of him knowing about it.
How could I return home in such disgrace? My whole life looked ruined and I felt such shame. Yet I knew there was no other choice. Nor was there any one else to turn towards. My heart fell to ground with the knowledge that no one else wanted me nor would I ever be wanted in the condition I was in now.
I stood outside his door, waiting for my courage to rise up in me. With shaking hands and trembling knees, I slowly reached out and turned the doorknob. As always the door was unlocked for all who wanted to just drop by and visit. Cautiously, I peeped around the door. I could see the back of his favorite chair just down the hall. His head leaned on the back cushion as he relaxed in front of a slow burning fire. The flickering lights seemed to be welcoming me forward.
Walking as slowly and softly as possible, I began to walk down the ever growing length of the hall. Finally what seemed to be eons later, I drew closer to the threshold of this large and inviting den. Just as I stepped up to the threshold, I heard his strong but gentle voice call out my name and the words “Welcome, my child.”
With my heart racing, I stopped dead in my tracks. How could I face him, he would be so ashamed if he knew even half of what I had done since I left? The thought of turning and running again swiftly entered my mind as I hung my head and the tears began falling from my cheeks. Yet this time there would be no retreat, it was time.
It was time to allow his dealings and corrections. Just as it was time to leave the past behind and start over again. If only… if only he would accept me. Could he ever love me again?
Through my tears, I suddenly realized he stood directly in front of me just a step away. I never heard him move from his chair, yet here he stood. As I lifted my eyes, his arms were outstretched, waiting for me to take that final step. Gathering all the nerve I had, I raised my line of sight a little higher to look into his face and finally his eyes. What I saw amazed me, the look of forgiveness, love and acceptance. Suddenly I knew it would be alright. As I lifted my foot for that one last step, I knew I was home.

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