Disclaimer: This fan fiction has nothing to do with continuity of the Little House books, or Ms. Wilder's real life, or the Beyond the Prairie movies. It follows the continuity of the TV show only. I do not own 'Little House on the Prairie' or it's characters. I do own this story. Do I make money of this story? Nope! Please don't sue. Besides, you wouldn't get anything anyways.

Rating: PG

Spoilers: Times Are Changing!

Summary: How does Cassandra feel about moving away from Walnut Grove?

Too Many Changes by Peacejaw

There have been too many changes in my life, but most of those changes couldn't have been helped -I guess. Losing my parents was –and sometimes still is- rather difficult to deal with. Thank God I didn't lose James as well. I also thank God that James and I weren't allowed to stay with that mean couple that had wanted to adopt us. I know that one of us would have died in their care, namely myself … since I was being overworked. I do know that it didn't help matters any when our granduncle came back into our lives to reclaim us. Thankfully he didn't take us away from the Ingalls… as he had a change of heart.

What was worse, though, was the time when James was shot during a bank robbery. He ended up in a coma and it almost broke up our family once and for all. I thought I'd never see him or Pa again when Pa took him out into the wilderness expecting God to heal him. The family –including myself- didn't have that much faith in God at the time, but it seems as though Pa did have the faith … and James is alive today because of it. Pa witnessed the miracle that God does heal even the worst of things.

Now Pa is selling the farm and moving us to another state. I want to know why we can't stay here in Walnut Grove, but no one is giving me an exact answer. I think, though, that there is better work for Ma and Pa where we are moving to… but I don't know for sure. Still, why does so much change have to happen in such a short amount of time? I'd love to be able to remain here in Walnut Grove, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Especially considering the fact that I want to remain close to James and the others in this family. There have been several times when I came close to asking if I could remain with Laura and Almanzo, but each time I have reminded myself to give this move a chance. If it doesn't work out, though, I will ask Ma and Pa if I can move in with Laura.

Knowing that I will move away hasn't been an easy thing to deal with. Believe it or not, I've come to think of Walnut Grove as my home. Losing my parents was so difficult and being here has helped me to see that it's okay to move on with my life. Maybe it isn't so much the town I'm in, but more to the point that it's with the people I love that has helped me grieve… and then move on with my life.

Maybe I need to say one last goodbye to Walnut Grove. I guess I'll take the time to really say goodbye this time. It couldn't hurt. I love this place… but my home is with the Ingalls.

The End! October 2002; Updated September 2004