Avery had once thought that taking up the cross was a vehicle that religious fanatics drove to church. But now that he had a synergistic fusion between the meanings of the symbols and the flow of life, he found himself with a hint of enlightenment. Once he understood that the cross is a simple symbol representing the way, he finally glimpsed this light. Her evolution so far had been painful and rushed, only thirty years, and now she was back to where she started, a childlike place of love and forgiveness. She realized that the tiny seed she had always been would continue to thrive through trials and bloom eternally as the love of the universe. She was sure she would forget her part again and again, but every now and then hope would remind her of her purpose and she would find her way. He thought of a memorable way to internalize his vision. If he wanted to make his heart work with his mind he would have to face death... take up the cross. He had not been afraid at birth and would not have been afraid of death. Avery took up the cross. It meant living without fear and living with the knowledge that you could face even the worst of possibilities. She tried to remember every time she was bombarded by fear or guilt to send love. So often he stopped to think, to go inside and change his mind. Bad and evil thoughts can be abandoned and transformed into love and happiness. Irritations can be left behind. The anguish can be forgotten. Fear can be resolved. There is so much to gain in love and compassion. Her heart stops time and changes her mind. Avery grew up with a reputation for possessing a wild imagination and as someone who could be counted on to rarely tell the plain truth. He entertained his y... middle of paper ......by arguing with the forty other girls in the room. Avery publicly humiliated the bragging girl to the point that the newly made geek got on his hands and knelt before the crowd of girls and tried to speak in tongues. Avery demanded a public confession from his victim. The confessor became so distraught that she requested the assistance of camp counselors and preachers and eventually her parents were called, and the unfortunate target had to be sent home. After each dramatic stunt was over, Avery thought about what had happened. and I wonder how it happened. He later realized that he was just playing with the power of words and had never had any goal in mind when he began each side; he simply followed the path of his power trip and observed how a few changes could have made the day so unexpectedly different.