by Alison

Results

I’ve had several people ask about the short story writing contest I entered last month.
Well, guess what!!!…..I didn’t win. =) Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

The West Texas Writers posted the winners list on their web site last night. Seventy stories vied for the prizes, I found out from a contest organizer. I know for a fact that other quality stories were entered that didn’t place, either. Honestly, I accomplished what I wanted by having something to spur me on to write the story then put it out there for strangers’ eyes.

It was my first story written since I’ve grown taller than about four feet, and I had so much fun doing it. (I’m even smiling as I write this!) I have a hunch I won’t give up any time soon. Anyway, I wanted to let you know.

Big subject change: How is the weather in your neck of the woods? Today it is absolutely beautiful here. Upper 60s, sunny, with trees and flowers coming out to play. I love having a flexible job–I had a few minutes this morning to get out and walk the dog in our neighborhood.
Please take a few minutes this week and enjoy the outdoors wherever you are!

Legacy

Your week has started off well, I hope. I want to give you a heads up that this post may be, at first glance, not very upbeat, but my intention is that it inspires and uplifts. That being said…

I found out yesterday afternoon that a friend from a nearby town passed away. She was a wonderful woman–a family member of a former hospice patient of mine. Long after my job-related interaction with the family had ended, she and I chose to continue meeting for lunch. We shared many precious hours that way.

Her life ended suddenly in a tragic car accident outside of her city. The church sanctuary barely held the hundreds of people for her funeral service today–practically standing room only. In the midst of the tragedy and tears, it was comforting to remember the kind of person she was, and is now– in heaven.

Her legacy is the kind of woman I aspire to be every day: kind, strong, warm, loving, Christ-centered, and real…she was honest about her struggles. The multitude present today represented only a part of the scores of people she touched through consistent, meaningful living and loving.

My mind and heart can’t escape this question: So what will my legacy be? And what about yours? Heaven forbid, if we left tomorrow, what would others remember about you and me? And through Christ’s strength, am I living that way now? Sure, we all fail and have days we want to do over. And again, I’m not trying to be morbid or depressing.

Those who have attended even a handful of funerals have heard this before, and no doubt we’ll hear it again. It’s worthwhile to me, though, to ponder all of this and renew my daily commitment to living on purpose. How about you?

Listing

I was challenged today to write an unusual type of poem: a list. The challenge was to take any type of list–“to do,” places you’d like to visit, ranking of the “Police Academy” movies–whatever you’d like, and craft it into a poem. Trying something different was fun. Here’s my stab at it:

Grocery List

Milk

Eggs

Bananas

Cocoa

Kabob ingredients

Stretching arm for the lady who cannot reach the top shelf

Cereal

Speed for my racecar cart (must beat my best time)

Bread

Sugar snap peas (almost finished)

Patience for the checkout line

Smiles for the sunny toddler, the checkout line ambassador (who made it my best time)

Care to play? Post yours in the comments.

The innumerable uses of poetry

Many of you know how much I like poetry. Some of you know that I have a link to a random, funny mustache blog in my blog’s margin.

Now those two worlds collide blissfully. For some mindless weekend fun, click here and enjoy.

Confession

You were supposed to read this newest post and find a fun, interactive, new blog game I was going to have ready for you. That was my plan, at least. It’s coming but will have to wait.

There’s something else on my mind today. No, it’s not as serious as it sounds! I just need to get it in writing.

And that’s what it’s about: writing.

I started this blog last August for fun and for a way to experiment. I didn’t realize then how much it would rekindle a passion that’s been re-growing for the last couple of years.

I’ve mentioned before that’s it’s been a long time since I’ve done much creative writing to speak of. It was always a private hobby, just for my enjoyment. Most of you who’ve read this blog for a while have been very encouraging of my small attempts at restarting this habit. I’ve written more than I’ve shared online– still keeping most of it private–but lately I’ve been writing almost every day.

God has been speaking to me about this the last few months. He has told me that He wants me to practice, learn, and work on writing a lot more. …And to take more risks. Why? I’m not really sure. I’m working little by little on short stories and poetry, along with articles/devotionals for submission to small Christian publications–maybe He wants to use me somehow in that way. Maybe He wants my blog readers to have better quality reading material when they visit! =) Maybe He simply wants to change me as I write, growing closer to Him as I take an extended vacation from my comfort zone. Whatever the reason, I’ll be obedient.

So why is she sharing this with us? you might wonder. Well, mostly to make myself accountable. It certainly feels more real as I type this! I need to put myself out there more, getting myself good and uncomfortable. And I must admit…it’s pretty exciting, scary, and peaceful, all at the same time.

If a part of this whole thing is inflicting more writing on you all– on this blog and some of you personally– and it’s not great (I know writing is about trial and error), just remember: it was you who encouraged me! =)