Entry #11

Treadmill
by Peggy L Johnson


I felt like my life was an escalator ride, I never seemed to make it anywhere. Higher and higher, watching everything around me move either up or further away. A few times in my life I would walk down that ever-running staircase but nothing happened. My life was stuck there between the top and the bottom. Inside I wondered if this was midlife, is this all there is?

One evening as I climbed, I noticed a man. He was coming up my staircase; the same staircase that refused to let me advance any further. He stopped on my stair and smiled at me, his voice melodious and sweet. “You my dear are trying too hard. Why not stop and just enjoy the scenery.”

I was dumbfounded as he moved past me.

There was a scent, roses and from my perch I saw them, bright red and blooming. The ground was alive with color and smell. I remember smiling and inhaling deeply of this new and intoxicating feeling. Everyday I began waiting for my moving platform to reach that special place.

One evening, I stood admiring the view and the very next moment my staircase stopped abruptly. I peered down, green vegetation surrounded me, I had finally gotten off the never-ending staircase and had ascended into life itself. I could hear his voice again.

Life can be a struggle or it can be a joy, you must stop and admire Gods handiwork he leaves for you everyday.