I Didn't Want To Go There

I Didn’t Want To Go There

It was Saturday afternoon and the sun was shining in all its glory. I didn’t want to go, I really didn’t. I had never been on a hay ride, and I wasn’t starting now. The thought just made me cringe. “Sounds silly I said” I’ve not been there, and I’m not going there. “Boy” was I surprised, as I was lovingly coerced into getting on that wagon. A large bale of hay was placed before me to step upon. Hay was also strapped down onto the bed of the wagon. Children were all over the wagon. Several friends helped me onto the wagon. “Remember I wasn’t going there”. Setting down, I scooted back; tears came to my eyes as I was so embarrassed, I hated needing help. Others got on the wagon by themselves, why couldn’t I? I didn’t want to do this.

Much to my surprise a woman got onto the seat of one of the tractors. A friend sat next to me, His hand gently placed upon my shoulder. I really wanted down. When the tractor first jolted into action, I let out a groan, more from fear I think. I kept hearing someone say, “don’t look at the tractor, watch the scenery”. After awhile and a few more jolts, and a few more groans, I began to relax. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after-all. “The driver” I’m sorry I don’t know her name, would occasionally turn around to see if I was ok. When I let out a yelp once, she turned and smiled. I don’t know if it was for me, or if she was laughing at me. A strong arm wrapped around behind me, and I heard my Angel say “are you ok”? "Yes I said", all the time under my breath singing “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”.

After awhile I relaxed a little more, and began watching the scenery. I even let go of the rope long enough to wave to a few people setting on their porch swings and stoops, children played in their yards. The rolling hills were the scenes I loved the most. Horses, cows, pigs, and even a little black goat turned to watch as we went past. On two farms we passed, foals frolicked in a pasture, as we watched them.

Angels were all around me; in my heart I felt their presence. We covered thirteen miles of back road. People in cars and trucks passed us by, smiles everywhere. As we crossed the creeks cool air nipped at our noses. Shade trees gave us a blanket from the sun. Two miles from our destination our tractor broke down. I didn’t want to get down, but down I came. All the people on my wagon stayed put as they attached that wagon to the back of the other wagon, making that tractor pull them the rest of the trip. They left the broken down tractor there till some-one could come for it. Given the option of trying to get back on the wagon without a bale of hay or going in the car that had followed us, I opted out for the car. On the two mile ride home, I watched with envy as the others rode upon the wagons. I could not believe that one tractor could pull two carts, but it did. As we pulled into the parking lot of the church, more friends came to meet us. They had kept the hot dogs warm. Every-one jumped down. A prayer was said as everyone gathered in a circle holding hands. It wasn’t over, we enjoyed the friendship, the hot dogs, and as darkness fell upon us, we began to leave, one by one. To make the night even better, a deer ran up the hill and we caught it in the head-lights of the car. It was as if GOD was saying, “See I have faith in you, so you should have faith in me”.

@ K.L. Farnum

Story ID:	1461
Written by:	K. L. Farnum (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Story
Location:	Dry Ridge U. S. A.
Year:	2001
Person:	Baptist Church