Popping more pills into his mouth, he groaned. Having a migraine was certainly not the best way to start off the week.

Micah made his coffee as strong as possible, hoping it would help. He had tossed and turned most of the night. It was no surprise that he had a migraine. This important decision that he had to make was taking a toll on him. At least he didn’t have to go into the office until Wednesday.

He would try to get some computer work done today but would take it easy most of the day. With hope that his migraine would completely go away.

Later that afternoon, the migraine finally went away, enabling him to get a little more work done.

The big decision loomed in his brain no matter how much he tried to concentrate on other things. It was always there.

Shutting down the computer, he decided to call it a day. Maybe if he got a good night’s sleep, he would take a walk in the woods tomorrow. Perhaps it would help him make a decision. Whether it did or not, there was no doubt that it would be better than working.

The real estate agent wanted a call by the end of the week, so he didn’t have much time left to decide.

He felt like he had found his dream home, only it wasn’t without its problems. Was he crazy to want to buy it?

The house needed repairs, but it was right by a lake. He couldn’t ask for a better view.

What if the repairs added up to more than what he was thinking. Would it be worth it? He would want to make sure to find trustworthy contractors and not be left with something half finished and his money gone.

After some brain numbing television, Micah went to bed early. The migraine had left him exhausted. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep.

The next morning, he was glad to wake up feeling much better. He packed a water bottle and some food to snack on, preparing to go for a hike in the woods.

He would hike for a few hours and then go back to the house and get some work done.

The cool air and smell of the crisp leaves as he walked, invigorated him. His head was beginning to clear, He wouldn’t debate about buying the house today. Today was a decision free day. Instead, he would soak in the moment and breathe.

About a half hour later, Micah came to a fork in the woods. Which way should he go? It looked like he would have to make at least one decision today.

He turned to the left and followed that path. The trees along it were vibrant with color. More so than the trees he had passed before. It gave the path a magical feeling and he was glad he had chosen it.

The path wound around the woods, and Micah kept walking. He had walked in these woods many times, but something felt different this time. He didn’t know how to explain it, but he walked with the expectation of something special ahead, though he had no idea of what it would be.

The path kept going, and Micah kept walking. He had been out longer than planned, but he wasn’t tired and had no intention of turning around. He was approaching another fork in the road up ahead. This time, he turned to the right, the leaves covered the path, as if no one had walked down that way in quite awhile. Was that the sound of water that he heard?

The sound grew louder as he walked. He felt like he was walking close to the ocean. But that was crazy. Who goes for a walk in the woods and ends up at the ocean?

What was happening? Micah was stunned speechless. He was no longer walking beside autumn trees, but found himself beside the sea.

The salty sea air was wonderful, but how did he get here? He was so confused. Maybe his coffee had been a little too strong this morning. Was he imagining all of this?

“Hi! You are right on time. Are you ready to see the house?”

Micah stared at the fiery red-haired woman in front of him. She was average height with some light freckles across her cheeks. Who was she?

“Excuse me, what house?” Micah asked.

“Aren’t you here to see the house up there?” She pointed to a lovely house that overlooked the sea.

“I think you dropped this.” The lady handed him a shiny silver cowbell. Now Micah was really befuddled. He never had a cowbell, but the house did catch his eye, not to mention the pretty redhead smiling at him.

“Thanks.” He accepted the cowbell from the lady.

“Yes, I would like to see that house, please. My name is Micah.”

“Wonderful. My name is Sarahbelle, follow me.”

Micah followed her down the path and up the hill to reach the house. He was in awe as they toured the house. Now, this was his dreamhouse! It was in perfect condition and by the sea.

This house must be meant for him.

“All you need to do is sign on the dotted line, and the house is yours.” Sarahbelle said.

Was it really that simple?

“You can’t put a price on a view like this. Come, look out the window.”

He walked over to the window and gasped. There was a puffin! He looked down in his hand at the cowbell. This thing had to be magical and if he was dreaming, he didn’t want to wake up. He was glad that he had chosen the path in the woods that he did. As Robert Frost would say, “I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.”

“I will take the house.”

http://jasonfrels.com/2024/09/28/a-puffin-piece/ Check out the link for more great puffin photos

This has always been a favorite poem of mine by Robert Frost from the time I read it when I was young. We stopped and saw his house in New Hampshire, while on vacation. He had a poetry trail in the woods behind the house, which made for an enjoyable walk to stretch our legs.