The Two Roads We Take

Jasmine had always been the type to rush through life, chasing after success like it was a bus about to leave her behind. She had a plan—finish school, get a high-paying job, buy a house, and live comfortably. Anything outside of that plan was a distraction.

Then she met Mrs. Ellis.

Mrs. Ellis was an elderly woman who lived next door, always sitting on her porch with a cup of tea, watching the world pass by. One day, after Jasmine hurried past with her usual quick steps, Mrs. Ellis called out to her.

“Why do you move so fast, child? You act like life is a race.”

Jasmine paused, a little annoyed but curious. “Because I have things to do, Mrs. Ellis. If I slow down, I’ll fall behind.”

Mrs. Ellis chuckled. “Come, sit with me for a moment.”

Jasmine hesitated but sat down. The old woman took a sip of her tea and looked up at the sky. “You remind me of myself when I was younger. Always running, always chasing. But let me tell you something—life isn’t about how fast you move. It’s about what you see along the way.”

Jasmine frowned. “But if you slow down too much, you miss opportunities.”

Mrs. Ellis nodded. “True. But if you never pause, you miss everything else—love, joy, small moments that make life worth it. When I was your age, I was so focused on making money that I missed time with my family. I told myself I’d enjoy life later. But later never came for some of them.”

Jasmine felt a lump in her throat. She had skipped her little brother’s school play last week to finish a work project. She had been too busy to visit her grandmother in the hospital before she passed.

Mrs. Ellis smiled gently. “The trick is balance, child. Chase your dreams, but don’t forget to live while you’re at it.”

That night, Jasmine thought about what Mrs. Ellis had said. The next day, she still went after her goals—but she also called her mom just to talk, took a longer walk home to enjoy the sunset, and promised herself that she wouldn’t miss another moment that truly mattered.

Because life isn’t just about the destination. It’s about the journey.The days turned into weeks, and Jasmine found herself slowing down—not in ambition, but in the way she appreciated life. She still worked hard, still chased success, but she made room for the little things.

She started having coffee with Mrs. Ellis every Sunday morning, listening to the old woman’s stories. Some were funny, others heartbreaking, but all of them carried wisdom.

One morning, Mrs. Ellis sighed and said, “You know, Jasmine, I used to think money was the most important thing. And don’t get me wrong, money matters. But what good is wealth if you have no one to share it with?”

Jasmine thought about this on her way to work. She had spent so much time avoiding distractions that she had lost touch with people. She barely saw her childhood best friend anymore. She couldn’t remember the last time she went out just to enjoy herself, without worrying about productivity.

That evening, she did something different. She called her best friend, Melissa, and invited her out for dinner. At first, Melissa was shocked. “You actually have time for me?” she teased.

Jasmine laughed. “I’m making time.”

They met at a cozy little restaurant they used to love. As they ate and talked, Jasmine realized how much she had missed moments like this.

Melissa looked at her thoughtfully. “You seem different, Jas. More… present.”

Jasmine smiled. “I had a good teacher.”

The next time she sat on Mrs. Ellis’s porch, she told her about the dinner. The old woman beamed. “Good. Keep going, child. Because at the end of your life, you won’t remember the extra hours you worked—you’ll remember the love you shared.”

And so, Jasmine continued to work toward her dreams. But now, she made time for laughter, for family, for moments that money couldn’t buy.

Because she finally understood—success isn’t just about what you achieve. It’s about who you become along the way.Months passed, and Jasmine’s life started to feel different—richer, fuller. She still worked hard, but she no longer felt like she was running on a never-ending treadmill. Instead, she was walking with purpose, taking in the world around her.

One crisp autumn morning, she knocked on Mrs. Ellis’s door with two cups of tea in hand. When the door didn’t open right away, her stomach twisted. She knocked again, then gently pushed the door open.

Mrs. Ellis was sitting in her chair, wrapped in a warm blanket, staring out the window.

“Mrs. Ellis?” Jasmine called softly.

The old woman turned, smiling weakly. “Ah, my favorite visitor.”

Jasmine stepped inside, immediately noticing how frail she looked. “Are you okay? You seem… different.”

Mrs. Ellis chuckled. “I’m just tired, dear. I suppose life is reminding me that even slow journeys have an end.”

Jasmine’s heart clenched. She had known Mrs. Ellis was old, but she had never really considered that their time together was limited.

She sat beside her, handing her the tea. “Well, then I guess I’ll have to make the most of every moment we still have.”

Mrs. Ellis smiled, her eyes twinkling. “That’s my girl.”

From that day on, Jasmine visited every day, bringing stories, laughter, and warmth to the little house. She read to Mrs. Ellis when she was too tired to read for herself. She made soup when her appetite was low. And she listened—really listened—to every piece of wisdom the old woman had to give.

Then, one evening, as winter settled in, Jasmine arrived to find Mrs. Ellis’s chair empty.

Her heart pounded as she rushed to the bedroom, where she found her peacefully asleep. Except… she wasn’t sleeping.

A letter sat on the bedside table with her name on it.

With trembling hands, Jasmine opened it.

“My dear Jasmine,

Thank you for making my last days full of laughter and light. I have no regrets, because I lived, I loved, and I shared my lessons with someone who will carry them forward. Keep living, keep loving, and never forget—life is not a race. It’s a journey meant to be cherished.

With all my love,

Mrs. Ellis.”

Tears streamed down Jasmine’s face.

She had learned so much from this woman—not just about slowing down, but about the kind of person she wanted to be.

The next day, she sat on the porch with two cups of tea, one beside her. The world moved on around her, but she sat still, watching the sunrise.

And in that quiet moment, she whispered, “Thank you, Mrs. Ellis.”

Then, she stood up and walked forward—not rushing, not chasing, but embracing every step of the journey ahead.