A Transformational Journey

By E. James DuBois

Jenny Borhen was an orphaned blind teenager when she found the support of a caring family. Later in life, as a master teacher in a school for the blind, Jenny read the book she wrote about the journey taken by her adoptive family to a prospective student.

The journey began with brother and sister, Troy and Lisa Bates, after they experienced the tragic loss of their parents because of a fire. The siblings were faced with a decision to rebuild and remain on the homestead farm or embark on a cross-country journey. The journey from New Jersey to California in 1848 would prove to be a challenge and a rewarding life adventure.

The siblings would learn to defend themselves, provide lifesaving assistance to other travelers, and experience the unexpected protection provided by Indians. The travelers explored the greatness and beauty of this country. They experienced the power of love and the wisdom of their parents and elders.

The journey highlights how our country's history, laws, leadership, innovators, explorers, investors, and neighbors have all influenced its greatness. The westward journey resulted in a transformation of two young siblings to the degree that they ultimately had a positive impact on their local community, state, country, and young future leaders.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889436249

Book preview

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A Transformational Journey

E. James DuBois

ISBN 979-8-88943-623-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-624-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by E. James DuBois

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

About the Author

To:

Christina DuBois

Cheryl and Cortney Gene Osolinski

Blind and visually impaired sojourners

Frontier explorers

Military personnel and first responders

(active duty and veterans)

There are risks and costs to action.

But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.

—John F. Kennedy

Chapter 1

Jenny Borhen was a master teacher at the E & K (Elisabeth & Kathy) School for the Blind in Sacramento, California. The school had an earned reputation of excellence, and Jenny Borhen was considered to be the most respected teacher, friend, and mentor to many students. The school had been operating at full capacity for several years. The leadership of the school was in the process of expanding its facilities for the second time. In the meantime, the admissions department was under stress to screen potential students and, if possible, avoid putting a student on a waiting list. Jenny Borhen was unhappy that any potential students' education would be put on hold merely because the school didn't have room for one more student. On this particular day, Jenny was scheduled to interview a potential student. This interview would represent the first time an Indian child was being considered.

Bessie Sanders was Jenny's secretary. Bessie typically sat in on these interviews to assist in the processing of any forms and documents for the potential student. Bessie had the highest respect for Jenny, but she also knew that it was easier to personally manage the forms since Jenny and the potential student were both blind. Bessie could only imagine Jenny having the parent of a potential student sign a document that may or may not have anything to do with the student's admission to the school. In preparation for this interview, Bessie had briefed Jenny on the potential student's application, family history, level of education, and degree of blindness.

At the appointed time, Bessie knocked on Jenny's office door and announced, Jenny, you have Mrs. Dakota and her daughter Aponi.

Jenny stood and said, Mrs. Dakota and Aponi, welcome to the E & K School for the Blind. My name is Jenny Borhen. Please be seated.

Mrs. Dakota said, Mrs. Borhen, before we go too far into this process, I need to know how much money it's going to cost for my Aponi to attend your school. I do not have much money, but I am willing to work in your school to help cover some costs.

Jenny said, Mrs. Dakota, please call me Jenny. We have been blessed with several sponsors who cover the costs for students to attend our school. You could offer to do some volunteer work for the school. We welcome our volunteers and consider their work valuable in allowing us to keep our costs to a minimum. Our students do not pay for their education. However, their education does include some level of work for the school as part of their life-learning experiences.

Mrs. Dakota said, I never expected that the parents did not need to pay for their child's education.

Jenny said, Aponi, I love your name. What is the meaning of your name?

Aponi said, My name Aponi means butterfly, and my last name Dakota means friend.

Jenny said, My name is Jenny, and it means God has been gracious. My last name was Ford, but my adoptive name is now Borhen. The name Borhen means achiever and ambitious. Aponi, young butterfly, tell me why you want to come to our school.

Aponi said, I hear stories about you. I hear you are a good teacher. I hear that you wrote a book. I want to be a teacher like you.

Jenny asked, How old are you?

Sixteen years.

Jenny asked, Have you had any formal educational classes?

No school. I just learn things from my mother.

Jenny asked, What do you hope to learn in our school that you can't learn from your mother?

Aponi said, I can't read.

Can you cook?

No.

Can you wash the dishes and pots and pans?

No.

Do you make your bed every morning?

No.

Do you have any chores at home?

No.

Jenny said, Well, Aponi, maybe you should just stay at home. You have a lot to learn that you can still learn at home.

Aponi said, But I want to learn how to read. I want to be a teacher like you.

Jenny said, No. I don't think you understand that reading and writing is very hard work. You don't even want to do the easy things of life. How can I expect you to learn to do hard things when you don't even do the easy things?

Aponi said, I understand what you are saying. Can I ask how you were able to learn the easy and hard things of life?

Jenny said, I'll make a deal with you. Tomorrow is Saturday, and we have no classes. I will come to your home tomorrow. I will read my book to you. My book is written in braille. It will explain the transformational journey taken by my adoptive parents and the impact they have had on my life. In turn, you must pledge to do your best as a student in all areas of life.

Aponi said, Yes. I make a pledge to do my best in all areas of life. I would love to have you read your book to me. Can my brother and sister listen to your reading as well?

Certainly.

The following day, Lisa, Jenny's adoptive mother, drove their horse and carriage to the home of the Dakota family. Lisa had decided to spend the day with Jenny. Lisa brought along a basket of goodies for the Dakota children. She baked some cookies and made some candy treats and polished up a dozen fresh apples. Lisa was glad she brought a good number of cookies because they soon found out that some neighborhood children wanted to sit in on Jenny's reading as well. Jenny sat in a rocking chair on the front porch of the Dakota cabin before an audience of fourteen children and eight adults. She began to read A Transformational Journey.

Chapter 2

Troy and Lisa Bates sat on a bench on the front porch of the Carterville Tavern and Inn. The discussion between brother and sister was a mixture of sadness, support, and contemplation. The sadness was a result of just burying their parents, Charles and Elisabeth Bates, because of a fire, which destroyed the farm cabin in Carterville, New Jersey. Troy and Lisa were able to survive the fatal fire and smoke because they slept in a nearby bunkhouse. The mutual support between the two siblings was unwavering. Their future was yet to be determined. However, no matter what opportunities should become available, it was without question they would share equally in the adventure.

Troy said, I found Daddy's money tin, hidden in the barn. I had an idea of where he hid it.

Lisa replied, I couldn't find Mama's cookie jar. If the jar held any money, it was probably burned up.

After a long pause, Troy said, Daddy had $375, and I have another $125.

Lisa said, I have another $100, but I don't want to rebuild. I want more out of life than living on the homestead.

Farming is an honorable life, but I agree. If we can sell the farm, where do you want to go?

Lisa said, Boston.

Troy replied, Philadelphia.

The two laughed because chances were, they would never see either Boston or Philadelphia.

While the two were considering the dream of a possible future in a big city, a stagecoach made a noisy and dusty stop in front of the Inn. The stagecoach driver climbed to the top of the coach and unbuckled two trunks. The driver threw the two trunks off the coach down to his assistant. The man on the ground could not catch the trunks. He just sort of slowed down their crash to the ground.

Lisa said, I hope the trunks didn't include anything fragile.

A middle-aged lady stuck her head out of the coach window and began blessing out the men for the rough handling of her possessions. The innkeeper appeared with two young boys. He directed the boys to carry the trunks to room 202. He then opened the coach door and welcomed Mrs. Beatrice Johnson to the Carterville Tavern and Inn.

When the stagecoach departed and the dust settled, Troy and Lisa returned to a discussion about their future.

Troy asked, What about traveling to California?

Lisa seemed to contemplate the idea for a long time before she replied, Are you chasing the gold or the idea of the American dream?

Troy said, I don't know if I'm chasing anything. I just think we need to explore our country.

Lisa said, We know hard work, and we know how to defend ourselves. From everything I've heard, a journey to California is no picnic. However, Mama always said that fortune belongs to the brave. She said our family coat of arms was filled with imagery of bravery. Troy, if you think we can explore this great country, then maybe we can fulfill some of Mama's dreams.

Troy said, Lisa, Mama died with dreams. I want to die with memories.

Chapter 3

Troy and Lisa Bates sat across from Mr. Charles Llewellyn, vice president of the Carterville Bank. Mr. Llewellyn was reading the agreement of sale for the Bates' farm. Troy and Lisa were selling the farm, and Mr. Llewellyn was processing the purchase of the farm on behalf of the bank.

Mr. Llewellyn said, Everything looks in order. If you folks agree with the terms of the sale, we can sign this document, and I will give you $500.

Troy and Lisa signed the agreement of sale.

Mr. Llewellyn signed the document and completed a separate receipt of sale. Mr. Llewellyn got up from his desk and walked into the bank safe. He returned and counted out $500. He handed the cash and the receipt to Troy. The two shook hands.

Mr. Llewellyn asked, Do you two have any plans?

Lisa said, Yes, we are thinking about going out west. Maybe California.

Mr. Llewellyn said, I wouldn't recommend such a trip for most people. However, if anyone were to successfully make the trip, I have faith in you two. I wish you Godspeed.

Troy and Lisa left the bank and returned to the inn. They sat at a table in the inn and began to develop a plan for their journey. As the two were talking, Sheriff Scott Dillon entered the inn. He saw Troy and Lisa and asked, Mind if I sit with you two?

Troy and Lisa both welcomed Sheriff Dillon to sit at their table.

Sheriff Dillon said, Word around town is you two are pulling out for California.

Lisa said, Word around town travels fast. However, it's true.

Sheriff Dillon said, I wouldn't recommend such a trip for most people, but you two can do it, if you have a mind to. I just have a question. Are you going to hire a guide and travel alone, or are you going to join up with a wagon train?

Troy said, That's what we were discussing. Sheriff Dillon, what would you recommend?

Sheriff Dillon said, Both. I would start out alone, then join up with a wagon train in Missouri to travel along the Oregon Trail. I know it's slower, but safer. Then break away from the wagon train at Fort Hall and hire a reliable guide to get through the California Trail. Sheriff Dillon then handed Troy $50. He said, This is money I owed your father. He loaned me some money when I had a need.

Lisa said, Thank you. Sheriff Dillon, we appreciate your concern to pay off the debt. The fact that you felt it was important to pay off the debt speaks well of your character. We had no idea Daddy loaned you any money.

Mayor Don Reynolds entered the inn and asked, Do you mind if I join in with you folks?

Troy pulled a chair aside and offered a seat.

Mayor Reynolds said, Word around town is you young people are pulling up stakes. If this news is true, I am happy for you, but disappointed for our community.

Troy replied, The news is true. Lisa and I are going to explore the greatness of this country.

Mayor Reynolds said, Disappointed I am. When young folks like you leave, we lose the future lifeblood of our community. I was hoping you Lisa would be our next town doctor or school master teacher. I was hoping you Troy would be my replacement.

Sheriff Dillon said, Troy, maybe the mayor and I can offer you a position as deputy sheriff as an incentive to stay in Carterville.

Before Troy could offer a response, two women entered the inn. Mrs. Elsie Brown said, Ah, just the two we're looking for. Word around town is saying you young folks are leaving us. I don't blame you. However, we were hoping you two would somehow rebuild the Bates' farm cabin. We need good folks like you. But your parents raised you right, and you will do well wherever you land. I have something to settle for your mama. Mrs. Brown handed Lisa $10 and said, Your mama loaned me this money. It's only right that I repay my debt.

Mrs. Mercy Starr said, Likewise for me. She handed Lisa $10 as well.

Mr. Jonathan Graham was