Triumph of Age

By Joy Kundu

Triumph of Age is about the way of life in a rural town full of farmland and regular townies considering change. Change and transition in life is what the characters in Triumph of Age faceeverything from adventure to retirement to teaching children, as well as the interaction of Christianity and spiritual aims to the everyday person. Triumph of Age is a priceless and precious look at the times that have come and gone, the times that are a-changin and the relentless, ever-existing goal of finding ones self and meeting with God. If you are looking for a short, inspirational read, then Triumph of Age, by Joy Kundu, is your book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449716073

Joy Kundu

Joy Kundu is a devoted, spiritual Christian. She spends her time with hobbies such as embroidery, acrylic abstract painting, watercolor scene painting, and writing. To her, Christianity is a way of life, adopted in order to reach out to people and follow in the way of Jesus Christ. She also follows the spirituality of meditation and yoga. Her pursuits include travel, fitness, and culinary arts. She has a breadth of knowledge in the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism. Her conservative spirituality includes reflection on these religions and fitting in the historic perseverance of the people of the United States. She is a Republican and a proud member of the Republican Federation of Women. This is her first book. She lives in New Jersey.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

I t was a cold winter day in December. When the door was opened, flurries came flying in. When she stepped out into the weather, it was a cold chill that brought a shiver to her back. Francis grew up in New York state in the rural area of Dunneihough so that when she turned eighteen, it had been eighteen winters that she had faced that same chill. But this day was different. Francis was starting a new job. She had never worked before, but she knew her time would go easy on her as long as she didn’t get afraid of change. This was a big life change.

And as such, she herself was ready for it.

Her mother, Madeline was nearing her days as a retiree, on the other hand. Not only was she not prepared for a retiree’s life and such experience but the time was not one she was looking forward to. Being unemployed virtually scared her. Being alone at home scared her. And the lack of money was no gift.

But between now and later was a date worth remembrance to heal both the entrance and the exit of a career. It was like it was someone’s special day---a day of giving birth.

Francis drove out to town from the rural country that bordered their old house. She soon arrived at the school of young children that she would help to teach.

She got out of her car hearing young voices crying and laughing in the near distance. As she entered the small schoolhouse she gathered her bag, her lunch bag, and her coat to put somewhere in the kitchen. This small schoolhouse was called The Learning Tree.

As she stepped into the kitchen, not noticing another soul in the house, she glanced at the drawings that the children had drawn and then while in the kitchen, she grabbed a cup to get a sip of water from the sink.

Then she heard the back screen door open and slam. A voice asked, Francis? Is that you? I heard a car come in.

Liz, short for Elizabeth, walked into the kitchen. She was another teacher of this small nursery school.

Francis, so nice to see you. I told the kids that a new teacher would be arriving. They all seem ready to welcome you.

Oh, signed Francis. I put my lunch in the refrigerator and I put my coat…

Here let me get that into the closet. The children should be coming back in soon. It’s about time for drawing.

Oh great. Francis said. She sighed. Was she ready for meeting with all those children?

She didn’t have time to decide. Soon there were several stampeding children coming in the back door and Francis tucked her hands into her back pockets watching them take off their winter coats and going into the bathrooms to wash their hands.

Young boys dressed in turtlenecks and corduroy pants, young girls in dresses and jeans, they all came back from the bathrooms to sit down at small tables meant for little people.

Liz and another teacher, Jane, started to hand out white sheets of construction paper and boxes of crayons were laid out in the centers of the tables.

I just want you to meet our new teacher. This is teacher Francis. Can everyone say hello to her?

Hello Mrs. Francis. A hearty hello from children squealed.

It’s drawing time, Jane said.

Liz walked around with Francis in a circle around each table and tucked down to each child to say how great their drawing was coming along. Francis took a turn at that by making chit chat with each young child and asking their names then saying nice to meet you, (name).

Francis knew that this was the place for her when the children couldn’t stop chasing her around in the big basement that cornered the house with plenty of gym space. It felt like heaven with those children, free of worry and full of joy.

CHAPTER TWO

M adeline had worked at the local factory for twenty-five years. She managed the sewing department of fifty women and few men whom sewed the fabrics of the company together to make several things: tablecloths, pillows, and bedsheets.

She assembled each day by first taking role call and then tackling the accounts payable pile in her office. She knew she wouldn’t miss having to pay out all those big bills but there was something about the power of the mill that got to her. Being a manager of such a big place certainly was powerful, and there was nothing better than