Quality Channel

Story January 19, 2010

"Look at those stars, how far and wide is the sky! I often wonder what it would be like to travel out there among them."

"Well, I'll tell you this, you can have my experience, I have no desire to travel among the stars. Stand here and enjoy and appreciate them, allow their presence to bring me peace, yes, feel as though they represent all the good things of the Universe, yes, but desire to travel out among them, no!"

"Where is your adventurous spirit?"

"You call it adventure, I call it far out!"

"Oh well, for now, it is not a problem, we don't have the capabilities of going out there anyway, not the way I am talking about going out there among them."

"Well, good then, can we just look at the stars and be amazed, instead?"

With that, they walked on, well into the evening. Julianne with her dreams and John with his hopes.

What would tomorrow bring, would they be together or would they find that somewhere along the way, they would find out that they were not the perfect fit for each other's life?

These thoughts and more, controlled Juianne's emotions as she thought back over the months since she had begun spending time with John. Good months, times of laughter, joy, fun, he was a fun companion. She began wondering if they would be together, they had much in common, but somehow, when she heard his innermost thinking being spoken of, she knew she did not desire to travel in the same dreams as he.

Was it important that you share the same dreams as your loved one? It could be that you focus your relationship on those things in which you did share common interest couldn't it?

Even though these were silent thoughts, Julianne knew she would one day have to speak them aloud and that day would be the day she told John that she knew in her heart that she would be unfair to both of them if she were to say yes to his question.

Having finally come to the truth with her feelings, she knew she would be unfair to carry on their relationship in it's current capacity any longer. She would talk with him as soon as she found the proper time.

Thankful for John's response, Julianne reminded herself not to let her pride be injured, for he had seen before she that they would be seeking that which was not to be, had they continued their relationship.

Funny how, when you are the one to break off a relationship, you feel badly, but not nearly so badly as when someone else breaks with you! It is an ego thing! You know they are right, in the innermost quiet of your heart, you know, but somehow you refuse to see it. Then when they bring it out in front for you to consider, you suddenly run from the truth! You do not want to see, for somehow you feel that there is something wrong with you for them not to want you.

What a ridiculous idea and yet, so many times this is exactly what happens! Why is it that we refuse to see that there is no right nor wrong person for us, simply one who fits more accurately or less accurately with our views, our dreams, our visions?

When we grab hold of those thoughts that cause us to feel embarrassed or insecure and draw them in for a reality check, we can find that the truth of the matter is simply this, if someone feels you are not right for them, then, you are not right for them!

You may be right for them in your eyes, however, you may only decide for you, you do not decide for another.

With this, she had her thinking back on track, knowing that wounded ego is far better to deal with, than continuing in a wrong direction following a choice made from that ego, rather than from the heart.

The following months found Julianne following her dreams for travel and mild adventure! She had flown to Florida, taken a cruise along the Coast, now was going with a group of youth to a ranch for a week long stay, where she would perform the duties of counselor and mentor to five girls from her Church.

As they drove the miles away, Julianne watched and listened to the girls' chatter of how much in love they were with this boy or that, how they just knew they would never be happy is something tore them apart, she gave a silent prayer of thanks for keeping an open mind about her future. As she looked back on her relationship with John, she felt a softness for their time together, but only a softness, not a loss. She knew they had made the right decision.

They got to the ranch just before suppertime, unloaded their belongings carried their bags into the bunk house and gathered in the Lodge for a few instructions before going to supper.

The Lodge was a great expanse of rooms and spaces! How on earth anyone could ever grow accustomed to where everything was baffled her. They had been instructed to wander at will all over the ranch, get acquainted with man and animals alike. Thus after supper, Julianne found herself with the girls, down by the creekbank.

He came riding up on horseback as if he were a knight in shining armor, even the horse he road was magnificent. "Hello there, I was told I could find you here."

"Really? Why might you want to find me?"

"Well, it seems there has been some changes in plans for your cabin as far as tomorrow goes. You see, we had you scheduled for a trail ride into the wilderness, however, with the impending weather, we thought it best we postpone that distance ride for a day or two."

"Alright, do you have a plan to put in place as an alternative?"

"Cookie thought the girls might enjoy spending the day with him getting accustomed to cooking in cast iron pots and feeding the neightboring ranch hands at the roping they have planned."

"It sounds great sport, is it a real roping or staged for our benefit?"

"'Fraid we don't do anything around the ranch that isn't real. There is always some critters that need to be sorted, transferred, tagged or delivered, always something going on. So then, sounds ageeable to you?
We can move forward with the change?"

"Of course, you know better than we, what is best."

Chuckling, he dropped from his horse and started walking alongside her as they watched the girls taking in their surroundings. "You know, we get a lot of folks from the city out here and most of them appear to know more than we do about this ranch and what is best for them on it. You, on the other hand, are the first to trust that we will look out for your best and the best for all the kids who come here, its nice to see that."

"Well, thank you, it is true, is it not, that you would naturally know best?"

"Of course, but since when does that make a difference with most folks?"

"I am afraid you may be right, I, on the other hand, happen to be of the old school that says, if a person is an authority and deserves the respect as such, permit them to perform their duties."

"Thank you for that vote of confidence. Well, I'd best be getting back, could I send the truck to pick you girls up?"

"Thank you, no, I believe with all this beauty, I prefer to walk."

With that he raised himself into the saddle, tipped his hat, spun his horse and started toward the ranch house.

Wow, that was interesting enough! She knew he was an owner, she had seen him from the Lodge, when he had driven up after supper. A nice looking man, but moreso than his looks, was the genuine concern you could see he possessed, by looking into his eyes.

A slight chill must have passed her, for she felt gooseflesh on her arms!

The next few days flew with abandon, she was enjoying herself far more than she ever could have imagined and the girls likewise were having a great time. She had taken every opportunity she could, to see that they were made comfortable, she had also taken advantage of the time to slip words of wisdom into their minds, about life and love and what it means to find the kind of relationship that will bridge the tough times.

The week was coming to a close, she found herself regretting that fact. Why, she was not totally ready to admit just yet, though she did know that James held a part in her regret.

He had shown such devotion to herself and the girls and yet he had cared for others in such a selfless fashion, that she couldn't help but admire him. He had shared with her, how he had chosen charities to invest the profits from the ranch's summer visitations, by considering the scholarships they offered for those in need. Explaining how the ranch helped with the digging of wells in poverty stricken countries, how they personally escorted their funds to see to it that they reached the people.

"Hello there."

"Oh, hello. I was just lamenting over our week coming to an end so quickly."

"That thought was on my mind also, Julianne. With that thought, however, I wanted to ask you how you feel about leaving, I mean, how you feel about the week you have spent here, and if anything has changed for you in this time?"

"I, I, I'm not certain I know exactly what you are asking, of course it has been very special. This is such a wonderful place, how could it not make a lasting impression on one?"

"Just the place, Julianne?"

"James, I am certain you know that I have found great pleasure in the walks we have taken and the time you have devoted to me during my stay. I realize it is your duty to show everyone around and entertain the guests while they stay, I have drawn nothing from your attentions."

"Julianne, you are a foolish girl if you believe that I spend my time entertaining everyone who shows up on this ranch, the way I have spent this week escorting you around, quite the contrary. I generally am not to be found during this season of the year, it is one of the busiest seasons we have, you and you alone are the reason for my presence here at the lodge."

"Well, I don't know what to say, I mean, it is wonderful to know that you have enjoyed our time together also, it would be terrible if I were the only one to feel as I do!"

"You silly girl, you are not the only one to feel as you do, that first day at the creek, when you said you trusted me, I knew you were the girl for me, forever and a day, you would be the girl for me, all I had to have, was your desire to be in line with these thoughts, to be certain."

"Oh James, I am certain, I am certain beyond a doubt, that we share the same desires and dreams and that we will choose forever to walk together through whatever life offers."

Julianne knew deep inside this was the love she had been waiting for, this love from a man who cared for the wellbeing of others far beyond anything she could have imagined, not just for someone he loved, but for all of mankind. She had found true love!

Cheryl G Burke
http://cherylgburke.com/blog