Safe Haven

The final book that I have read for my independent study was a book called Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. The main character was a woman who was named Erin. After fleeing from her abusive husband, she created a new identity and changed her name to Katie. She settled down on a little town on the east coast. The first man she met in town was Alex, the town grocer. He and Katie began to spend time together and gradually transformed their friendship into a relationship together. While Katie was spending her time in Southport, her ex husband, Kevin, was on lookout for any trace of Erin. When he finally locates where she is, he goes there to take her home. He is a drunk and has a way of making poor choices when he is intoxicated. He nearly kills Alex while trying to take Katie back with him. In the end, Alex and his children take Katie into their family with open arms, and Kevin has passed away.

There were a few things that I was able to learn from the novel. The first thing, which I am very guilty of doing, is running from your problems to avoid them. No matter how far you run from your problems, when you eventually stop running, your problems envelope you once again. One's problems are not stationary, they are always on the move, one step behind you. When Katie landed in Southport, she had not decided to stay. Katie was always looking for an escape plan. But when she began to fall for Alex and his two children, Kristen and Josh, she decided to make roots, and that's when her previous problems had returned.

When I think about my own life, I see a decision that needs to be made in the near future. It is a choice that will impact my life for a long period of my life. Many people have made a similar decision in their life, but I'm sure that my two choices have different advantages and disadvantages than any one else has ever had. My decision is where I will be attending college. I have two acceptance letters sitting at the bottom of a stack of pamphlets and brochures from both universities. I have moved this pile from my nightstand, where I would see them every day, to a place under my desk, where no one can see them without looking for them. I have avoided my problems. I have made myself busier to give myself an excuse for not sitting down and making the decision that needs to be made by May first. This will not make my decision easier. I need to face my fears and take action against my problems. I will be decided on a college in two weeks because I want to keep living my life without a dark cloud hovering above me, just waiting to strike.

The book has also taught me that anyone is strong enough to stand up for themselves. Erin left her husband who had said he would kill her if she tried to escape again. She also faced him when he came to Southport. She kept him from hurting her or Alex's children. There are people out there who do not feel they are strong enough to protect themselves; but yet, there are children everywhere that have abusive homes or inconceivable living situations that they rise up against. How can children defend their lives and themselves, but grown adults feel they are imprisoned to their situations? I know that I will never feel that I am stuck in a horrible situation. If someone truly wants out of a difficult situation, they will find a way.

This book has taught me so much. It has helped me reflect on my tendency to run from my problems, and it has led me to the conclusion that in order to dissolve my problems, I first must find the courage to come at them head on. After doing that, I have to remember to be strong, and to do whatever it takes to make the choice that is best for me. Anyone can defend themselves against every situation. It isn't a matter of how bad you have it. It isn't a matter of how strong you are. It's a matter of how much you want to get out of the situation, and how hard you are willing to work for it.