The Small Window

Pa taught his family that God will not shut a door without opening a window. He said it was God's Way of leading His Children. And during hard times Pa added that it was the North wind that made the Vikings.<br>What he didn't tell Laurin his 17 year-old daughter was how small and difficult getting through that window might be or how long and strong that North wind might blow .<br>It was 1848. Pa followed his dream; he was taking his family to the Promised Land a land called California . <br>Laurin like her father dreamed big . until tragedy struck! <br>When cholera claimed the lives of her parents and older brothers in the Humboldt Sink she had to find that window . set her own sail against that staunch wind . <br>Only she remained to do it!<br>She had to find a way not just to survive the trek over the Sierra and into California but to survive once they arrived. It wasn't for herself but for her younger brother age 7 and sister age 4 . they were her responsibility . their future their very lives depended upon her. They couldn't go back; there was no back . <br>She loved them . she had to find a way .