1. That Day
There are so many obligations in my hectic life right now: working a full-time job, attending three classes this semester, a brand-new home, one step-daughter in college and the other ready to leave for the Air Force before Thanksgiving. There are times when I allow the dizzying pace of my life to steal away my good sense, so I dream of a place of my youth where my family and I camped. I was free to run through the woods and release the anxiety of the week. Whenever I need to escape my reality, I drift away to my years at Lincoln Trail State Park in Marshall, IL.
The 90-mile venture from our home to the park always felt like an eternity. The anxiety and anticipation of our arrival would build as we left behind the frantic pace of the city. It did not seem to matter that all eight kids were squeezed in the back of my father's pick-up truck like a can of neatly packed sardines. Once the sweet smell of fresh country air filled our nostrils, the energy level expanded like a balloon being filled with helium. We knew that it would not be long before we could escape all that bound our young, carefree bodies.
The excitement reached a feverish pitch as we finally turned right off Route 1 into the park. The winding gravel road always looked like it was carved out of the surrounding wheat fields. I remember feeling like we were driving across the ocean as the top of the fields swayed in unison like waves rippling across an open sea. The site of Mr. Cooper's farm always brought me back to reality, especially when we passed the plot where his faithful wife of 65 years laid to rest peacefully amongst the wild flowers.
My father would carefully bring the trailer to a grinding halt next to the kelly green ranger's station so he could select our weekend campsite. I always held the rangers in such esteem as they looked so smart in their freshly starched uniforms. We were always nervous as he spoke to the rangers because we had a favorite section where we liked to camp, and we just had to have it.
Henry, referred to as "the youth" in the book, starts his enrollment in the army by having to wait a long time for battle. ... Henry sees a column retreating and tries to find out what happened from a soldier. ... He continues to fire at the enemy even after they have retreated. ... My Opinion of the story: I thought this book was an exceptionally well read. ...
On a blistering summer day that appeared so redundant, the sweat streaked down my face while making my way home from school. ... Quietly moving down the hallway, a dark sinister atmosphere consumed my highly welcomed sunrays and chilled my sweat filled shirt. ... Modestly curled in the corner of my match box size room out of respect, not fear, I knew the only way she would retreat is if she got what she wanted. ... My soul smiled, and for the first time the tears that ran down my cheek was a symbol of joy. ... Nevertheless evolution occasionally shows its face and the mind of a youth does ...
In my life, "reaching the heights" has meant keeping myself motivated, always having my priorities in order, and most importantly remaining strong in my faith. ... My religion is undoubtedly my greatest influence in being successful. ... ACTS offers many ways to serve our school through mass, retreats, and prayer services. ... I lead my class as Student Council Secretary. ... I was also invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. ...
Why Do Female Youths Join Gangs? ... Therefore, establishing why these female youths turn to street gangs. ... One young female was quoted as saying, "I don't see my parents. ... The gang provides a safe retreat and surrogate family (Chesney-Lind 54). ... Gender combined with delinquency a contributing factor in female youths involvement in gangs. ...
I choose to plan a weekend retreat which will be a basketball camp. ... We will use this camp as a way to continue conditioning in the youth that attend this camp. ... Matthew 18:20 says " For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them." ... The purpose of this camp it to use something that I love and something that the kids that attend my camp love to bring them into a relationship with Christ. ... When planning a weekend retreat (basketball camp) you must cover things like theology, purpose, scheduling, traveling issues, cost, and things needed. ...
There is my mother, there is my sister, there is my case of butterflies, and there the mahogany piano - but I am not myself there. ... The breath of desire that then arose from the colored backs of the books, shall fill me again, melt the heavy, dead lump of lead that lies somewhere in me and waken again the impatience of the future, the quick joy in the world of thought, it shall bring back again the lost eagerness of my youth. ... Paul continues to wait but his quiet rapture does not come. no matter how hard Paul tries to retreat to his prewar mentality he is unsuccessful. ... These men...