The Journey: Where Is This Incredible Place?

By James T. McNeil

Henry stands on a hill on an incredibly clear moonless starry night. He's awe-struck looking into the heavens observing the most unbelievable array of stars; the milky way is so clearly defined.

He marvels greatly, thinking to himself: "I've never seen such a night, the stars are manifesting such a display of glory. Yet, I can't understand why I haven't seen one constellation that looks the least bit familiar."

Indeed, standing in the total silence that surrounds him he's sorely astonished as he witnesses the stars, in all of their glory, taking their natural course in a rather routine manner. Then, he catches a glimpse of a few shooting stars as they streak across the night sky; then dozens, then more than he can count.

This is only the beginning of his encounters. Henry certainly never planned such a journey; nor, did he ever anticipate anything like it. Are you ready, are you willing to journey with him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 9, 2009
• ISBN: 9780595623853

James T. McNeil

James T. McNeil married his high school sweetheart. His top priority has always been his family; his dream has always been to be a writer.

Book preview

THE

JOURNEY

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James T. McNeil

iUniverse LLC

Bloomington

The Journey

Where Is This Incredible Place?

Copyright © 2009 James T. McNeil

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

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ISBN: 978-0-5955-2329-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-0-5956-2385-3 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 05/11/2009

Contents

Anomalous

Wonder and Mystery

Nothing Comes Easy

Awakening

Answers

Discovery

Understanding

Meaning to Life

a New Life Begins

Fruits of Resolution

Life truly is Good

The Dawning

Epilogue

Henry Barlow, dressed in a suit and tie, stands on a hill on an incredibly pristine moonless night. He's awe-struck as he looks into the heavens and observes the most unbelievable array of stars; the Milky Way is so clearly defined.

He marvels as he thinks to himself, I've never seen such a night; the stars are manifesting such a display of glory. Yet I can't understand why I haven't seen one constellation that looks the least bit familiar.

Indeed, standing in the total silence that surrounds him, Henry is truly amazed, as he witnesses how the stars in all their glory take their natural course in a rather routine manner. He catches a glimpse of a few shooting stars as they streak across the firmament; then dozens; then more than he can count.

Wow, that was really a spectacular show! he exclaims.

He continues standing there in silence with his eyes fixed toward the heavens, as the night gives way to the dawning of a glorious sunrise accompanied by even more unbelievable meteor showers.

Witnessing all of these things, he has the strangest feeling that everything is filled with life in a way or to a greater degree than he's ever thought of before. He never thought, in his wildest dreams that he'd ever witness such a display of meteor showers. He can't help, but wonder, what other wonders he might experience.

Henry is an amateur astronomer; astronomy has been a little hobby of his for some years. However, this doesn't explain why he's out here in a suit and tie. And why doesn't he recognize one constellation?

He ponders these questions while impatiently witnessing the sun methodically usher forth its light. He gazes at the surrounding terrain. A thin blanket of fog covers the meadow before him, making it seem as if the sleepy meadow were trying to hide from the encroaching sunlight.

An unsettling realization comes over him: he really doesn't