One Step to Freedom
by: Tam-my Ngyuen
I climbed the last step to the top. I lifted my head and saw the extraordinary sight of nature’s true beauty. The sun gleaming down on the snow capped mountains and refracting sparkles from the magnificent waterfall. The lake—a dazzling shade of blue—shimmering below, and the trees—evergreen—stretching wide and vast into the distance. The sky—clear and blue with not a cloud in sight. My lungs and my legs burned. They did not burn from the treacherous trek up to this breathtaking point. Rather, they burned with the utter satisfaction of my grand accomplishment and the hope of finding my self-purpose once more. The air felt different up here. Less heavy than where I came from. And for the first time, I could think clearly. The wind blew furiously through my hair and took all my worries away with it. No longer did I hold the burden of all my previous struggles. No longer did I think about my unknown future. No longer did I dwell on my mistaken past. I took a deep breath and soaked in the majestic feeling. With every breath of air I exhaled, I let go of my concerns. So this is what freedom feels like.
