A Long Way from Home: when Life Comes Full Circle, You Will Realize All You Ever Needed, You Already Had, You Just Refused to Listen

Excerpts from: ?A Long Way From Home?When life comes full circle, you will realizeAll you ever needed, you already hadYou just refused to listenEnvisioned FreedomDenise, like the prodigal son, was eager to vacate the family nest and begin her journey as an adult. She would be eighteen years old soon, and she had been planning her birthday for months. Denise had been contemplating and envisioning her ?freedom.? She thought of freedom as getting away from Mom and Dad and being on her own. So many teens are seduced this way. Life is hard and often the ?realness? of life is camouflaged by television, lies, and suggestions of friends. Parents? warnings often fade to the background once a teenager has his or her mind made up. Denise believed that she knew all about life and was in control of her destiny. There would be no curfew, no rules to abide by, no more church, and no one to answer to. Satisfaction in SufferingWilliam finally made it home and frantically entered the door and rushed into Denise?s room. She was all packed and sitting on her bed. Her face was filled with sternness and an uncompromising expression. It would seem that she had rehearsed this moment?that she had predicted William?s response, anticipated and even longed for the hurt, which flushed in his frightful face. With each word that William poured forth in anguish and desperation, Denise felt gratified, justified. She felt satisfaction in his suffering. She was delighted as Denise looked still-faced into William?s tear-filled eyes. She seemed to be without feelings. Denise poured forth with a mocking, bitter spirit. It was too hard to watch. Her eyes were all aglow, not with joy but with revenge, anger, and hostility. She displayed this arrogance as William emptied himself at her feet. How Did the Light Get Broken?They questioned one another about how the back light could have been broken. They arrived at a local hardware store, purchased some items,