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The Long Road Home
Tiptoeing around the perimeter being careful of every step, covering every inch of the yard, I searched. Walking up and down
the long, narrow road, looking into the cornfields for any movement, hoping for some familiar sign, making all my senses alert
to any unusual shape, any rustling sound, anything that would tell me she was all right, I continued to search. I called to
her, but silence surrounded me as my heart began to pound. My palms were sweating and beads of perspiration dripped down my
cheek as I realized the reality of my situation. She was gone. Where could she be? Thoughts began flooding my mind as I desperately
tried to remain in control of my emotions. She must be close. I knew she must be frightened, being in an unfamiliar place.
The darkness grew more severe, and my sight was now hindered, now blinded by the night. I knew for certain I could do no more
while the blanket of shadows overtook me.
As I lay in bed, my eyes darted around the dark room, envisioning her condition–creating misery when there needed to be sleep.
Tossing and turning, I prayed that God would help me find her. Is she okay? Did she find shelter? Did someone find her? In
the blink of an eye, my life had changed. Everything that had seemed so secure and safe was now overturned. Waking early,
I went out to where I had seen her last–in the fenced yard running, playing and having fun. Now she was gone. I was still
in denial of this turn of events. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it–she has to be around somewhere, but we weren’t at home,
so how would she find her way back?
Again, I scoured the premises–much faster than last night. The sense of panic had overtaken me. The more time that passed,
the more I knew my success of finding her was diminishing. My pace had quickened as the thumping of my heart abounded. I was
almost jogging to the road, hoping not to see the inevitable. The road was clear–there still was no sign of her. Hurriedly,
I looked into the yards and the cornfields–I was at a steady running pace, and it was increasing. I knew I would see her–I
could feel it. She was around–she had to be. Still nothing. How could this be? Returning home, heartbroken, trudging back
down the long driveway with the weight of the world at my feet, feeling lost myself, I heard a sound. Was it in my head or
was the sound real because I wanted it to be real? My mind went on high alert as I heard the sound again. It was real. Sprinting
down the gravel driveway, almost tripping over myself, I saw her. Her tail was wagging, and she was jumping for joy when she
realized I had found her–or did she find me?
Joanna Brooks ’93 | Education
Perrysburg, Ohio
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