The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. In that moment time seemed to stand still, his heart began to pound as though it were going to escape his chest. All of the decisions he had made up until he arrived at this moment seemed to be flashing before his eyes. Panic had set in when he watched the crack deepen, it was spreading across the lake exposing the icy waters beneath. Sweat was dripping from his brow, he knew his next choice may be his last, and he had to act quickly. Only moments had passed before he decided to run. Leaving behind his belongings in the snow shanty, praying to his God that he make it to the shore. The ice was breaking beneath every step, but he ran faster. Slipping and falling, he did not give up. Using every ounce of energy he had left, he finally made it to the shore. Trying to catch his breath, he looked back at what was his closet dance with death. His own mortality was knocking at the door, and he was instantly confronted with fear. This was an emotion he didn’t often allow himself to experience, though, this time it was unavoidable. Suddenly realizing how fragile life was, he fell to his knees as he wept. Tears streaming down his face, he tasted the salty substance on his lips. He bawled as he was thanking God for allowing him to make it to safety. A moment of clarity came over him, and he took a deep breath. Standing up, looking to see if anyone had seen the events that had just taken place, he brushed himself off. Nobody was around to see a grown man soaking wet while crying on the bay that day, and he was grateful for that. Truthfully, he didn’t care if they had been, he was just happy to be alive.

On the ride back home, Eli was contemplating whether or not he should tell anyone about what happened, though, ultimately decided against it. It was a bit of a drive to get back to his home from the lake, and on the way he decided to stop at a little restaurant just off the freeway. He was grateful he had left his wallet in the truck, silver linings, he thought to himself. While walking through the parking lot he had noticed a homeless man sitting just to the side of the building as he walked in. He looked over to him and nodded with a compassionate smile. While he was enjoying his meal, warm chili with oyster crackers and all the fixing's, he couldn’t help but wonder if the man outside had eaten today . He knew how cold he must have been, it was the middle of January and Michigan winters are frigid . Deciding to order another bowl of chili, he thought the man could probably use a hot meal, he stood up from the table and headed out to him. Eli went out to introduce himself, and invited the man to come and eat with him. He had said his name was Mike, and he graciously accepted.

Over the next hour the two men had talked about their lives, and the different circumstances that lead them to the moment they were currently in. While Mike was talking, Eli couldn’t help but think this man had seemed perfectly happy being homeless. Mike had seemed to choose a different path for his life entirely. He wasn’t homeless by making terrible choices, like one may have thought, but by choice. Eli had a hard time comprehending why anyone would do that, but he continued to listen to Mike's story, anyways. As he went on about his adventures, and his desire for freedom, which ultimately lead to his lifestyle, Eli started to grow intrigued. Beginning to wonder if, he too, could walk away from the hustle and bustle to live a life of wild, untamed freedom. He thought how close he was, just hours earlier, to death. What if he hadn't made it off the lake that day? Wondering if he'd ever truly experienced the life he desired, realizing his entire life was a cumulation of, "supposed to's." He had never done the things he had a passion for. Mostly because they were not of the, "standard procedure," that everyone else had seemed to fall into.

Eli decided in that moment, to change his life. It wasn’t too late for him to follow his dreams, and it was now or never.

 

Once Eli returned home he had began to write down all the things he always dreamt of doing, but never got the time to follow through with, a "bucket list," if you will. With his new outlook on life he realized we live in the eternal now, dwelling on the past and looking to the future were no longer of concern to him. He decided he would live every moment for what excited him most, from here on out. After finishing his list, he decided to take a hot shower. Allowing the water and steam to roll over his body and warm him in its embrace, he leaned against the wall. He knew his life would never be the same, and he would make sure of that.

The next morning he packed his duffle bag with only the necessities, he gathered his savings from his safe and walked out the door. Reminiscing on the memories made in the house, he smiled, feeling deep gratitude that he had a home for that season of his life. Knowing he didn’t have much of a plan, except to experience life to its fullest extent, looking back at his house as he pulled out of the driveway, he said, " farewell."

A sensation rushed over his body as he pulled away, it was a mixture of excitement, freedom, and peace. Eli was filled with a new passion for life and he was all for it. He had never made such a quick decision in his entire life, but he was absolutely certain it was the right thing to do. He drove off into the world, he found freedom at last.