100WCGU #21

100 Word Challenge No:21, our prompt this week is the picture below.

                                   On the outside looking in.

Leaning on the chair for support, she looked back at her shelter, or was it a prison. The sun warmed her back, easing the ache deep in her bones. How many more winters did she have in her battered body? How many times would she draw the shutters closed against the chill wind?  The birds in the trees managed more industry than she could imagine.  At least the windows were clean. She spoke a silent thank you to those responsible.  A tiny voice broke her reverie.

“ Granny, more juice”

The reason to go on contained in that small voice.

What I've learnt this year.

This year has been very difficult. Mr G says he just wants it to finish. I must say that life threatening illness does definitely bring things into sharp focus. However, what positives have I got from all this?

Firstly, I now have three blogs, this one obviously, This and That and my professional one Mrs Green's RE Blog . I have discovered I really enjoy writing. I managed a little professional (as in pertaining to my job) writing too. I find the act of choosing words very carefully absorbing and oddly relaxing. I always enjoyed creating my sermons, in my previous life, and now I write on more subjects to a wider audience.

Another thing I discovered is that is that which does not finish you off makes you stronger. I am now stronger mentally, more compassionate, have more patience, greater depth of insight and above all a boundless love of living.

I have always loved my extended family. Now, I love and appreciate them almost more than words can express. My Mother in Law looked after me post op, and held me when I cried because I had to have chemotherapy. They have run with my name on their backs. I received pictures, photos and notes from my toddler granddaughter which lifted my spirits. They have all been amazing.

Lastly, I've rediscovered my religion. I'm not going to go into details, it is too small, nascent, and precious to discuss now. However to feel in touch with something that shaped my life for many years is exciting.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #20

The 100 word challenge for grown ups contains this prompt this week:   …the powers that be /the apple of his eye /the writing on wall… We may choose one of these. I've chosen to use all three!

Mea Culpa

She stood beside the old weathered door. So, she thought, the powers that be have spoken. She knew each of them was the apple of his eye; the benevolence included them all, whoever they were. She did not care that the writing on the wall, she would do it her way. How dare they restrict her! She opened the creaking door and busied herself in the musty, dusty gloom. She continued confidently, hands familiar with tasks repeated over the years. She whispered her litany “Cow parsley is made by Him, so Cow Parsley I will keep in my flower arrangements”

100 Word Challenge for Grown-ups #19

Julia has set us a cracking new challenge The prompt is: …’Are you sure it should be that colour?’ …. using dialogue and we have 150 words.

Now or never ...

“Darling, are you nearly ready?” The call came from downstairs.

“I’ll be down in a minute”

She stood before the mirror.

“It’s now or never” she whispered with resolve.

“Sorry, darling, just finishing off” She carolled over the banister.

“OK, but we MUST leave in five minutes”

She busied herself, strong now she had made her decision. She fluffed and fussed, occasionally glancing sideways.

She gazed once more in her looking glass.

Satisfied, she strolled out of the room and sashayed down the stairs.

“Darling, are you nearly ready?” he pleaded.

“I’m here” she murmured, “I just need my coat and bag”

“I’ll get your bag” he said without turning.

He turned...

“Wow, I mean... that’s amazing...”

“Isn’t it” she said touching her new grown crop.

“Are you sure it should be that colour?”

“Ha, don’t you know that grey is the new blonde!”

She was glad she had left the wig upstairs.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #18

I thought hard about this week's challenge and have not read all the other entries. I am emotionally fragile so will write mine before I read the rest.

Poppies.

"It's sad" she sighed.

They sat on the carpet, bright faces as daisies turned to the sun, gazing at her.

"It all happened long ago, when my Grandad was just a boy. There was a big fight, a great war, many young men went to fight, but only a few returned. The poppies grew where the fighting had been, in the fields. After the First World War, it was decided to remember those who died every single year. We do this lest we forget.”

“Miss, isn’t your husband a soldier fighting in Afghanistan?”

“Yes” she whispered “Lest we forget...”