Have you ever been at the point of no return? Think about it.

I am sure when our ancestors left their home country to come to America to have a better life, they knew in their hearts they were at a point of no return. There was no way that the boat could turn around and take them back to where they came from. They left everything behind to seek a new life. There was no turning back, no wishing they could change their minds, no  re-thinking their decision.  Life, as they once knew it, was a thing of the past.

When they arrived in America, life was not a piece of cake. It was not easy.  There were so many trials and adjustments to make.  They convened with their own kind so they could have a sense of belonging and togetherness. Many did not understand the customs or the language or the established ways of this country, so life was hard for them.  Simple things like schooling was a huge adjustment for families. Church affiliation established a sense of belonging.  

I am so grateful that my ancestors had the foresight to come to America and to withstand the hardships to make this country strong and to create loving, strong families with purpose and the work ethic to grow and survive and succeed.

Those of my ancestors who traveled west also were at a point of no return. When they left the Eastern United States to come to Indian Territory, they knew in their hearts they probably would never see their families again. Trains were nearly non-existent. If there was a way to travel, there would not have been enough money for the trip home.  They relied on letters for news of home, and those letters may have taken a month to reach their destination.  

Those pioneers had to really love each other and be like-minded to survive those severe days and nights on the frontier. Living with wild animals just outside their doors and not knowing what was around the corner for their lives must have been horrendous. They withstood hunger, feer, loneliness and  all kinds of setbacksm but they never turned back. They knew it would be that way.  

When I married Jim and moved to Enid 42 years ago, I knew I would never be moving back to Pawnee, which had been my home all my life. I had to make new friends and new contacts. I had to find a new dentist and a new doctor and a new church. Even though I was at a point of no return, it has been a joy for me. I simply love Enid. I love the people, the stores, the markets and everything. I cannot imagine ever feeling “at home” in Pawnee again, except to visit family.

When Champlin closed the plant here in Enid and Jim retired from working 36 years there, he was at a point of no return. We had the choice of moving to Corpus Christi, Texas, or staying here in Enid for retirement. We chose retirement. Either way, there was no turning back. We just had to look forward and move forward. It is rather depressing to drive by where the refinery once was alive and  know it is gone forever. We were lucky. There were young people with not enough years to retire, who had children to support and they had to move on. They too were at a point of no return.  

Several years ago, I experienced a spiritual renewal at a meeting in Woodward. It changed my life in such a way that there was a point of no return. Life, nor I, will ever be the same again. The spirit of the living Christ was revealed to me, and my life can never go back to where it was. I have had a blessed life with people who loved me and showed it. I have always been a church-goer, but this experience went way beyond  the love I feel at home in my normal surroundings. The feeling transcends anything I have ever felt. I returned home ready to face the world without fears. I have renewed my faith, and feel like a different person.

When little kids start kindergarten, or big kids leave for college, their lives will never be the same again.  They are at the point of no return. They face new challenges and problems and rewards. That process is known as growth.     

Sickness, accidents or loss of a loved one can change our lives dramatically and drastically. We are forced into a situation — a point of no return. We have to adjust our lives accordingly, and press on the best we can with the resources we have at hand. We will never be the same again. There is no turning back.

So often, we have remarked that life can change in the blink of an eye, in a second. That was true just a few weeks ago, when a grand-nephew of ours was killed in a road accident. His wife was seriously injured.  They have three small children and the mother is giving all she has to getting better and back to a normal life for them. There is a point of no return. Things will never be the same. But life goes on for the living.   

Any time is a time of renewal. We need to think of how we will move forward.  Will we progress joyfully or with resentment? Will we truly be renewed or go down the same path with no detours or progression? It is something to think about.   

I have had a request to repeat this salad recipe. We like it as dessert.  



Cherry Coke Salad

1 can cherry pie filling

3⁄4 cup sugar

1 large package cherry Jell-O

1⁄4 cup water

1 15-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained

6 ounces Coca-Cola

Mix pie filling, water, Jell-O, and sugar and bring to boiling.  Let cool and add pineapple and Coca-Cola.  Chill in refrigerator  until set. Makes 11⁄2 quarts.

For a 9-by-13-inch dish, double the recipe.



Send your comments to: Peggy Goodrich, Food For Thought, P.O. Box 1192, Enid, OK 73702.