September

It’s the first of September! Can you believe it?! That means Christmas is just around the corner! A huge part of me is starting to panic, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make time for fun and games!

If you’ve been part of my community at Facebook, you would know that last Friday I did a contest among my facebook friends. I posted an illustration and asked people to write a story about it.  The submissions were amazing! I can’t believe how talented and creative they are, and it made my job of choosing the winner super difficult! But I had to make a choice, and it took me several agonizing hours reading and re-reading the entries just trying to pick one! I couldn’t! So I chose two! hahaha!

 

Story One:

Unassuming. Oblivious to the passing glances of men. Her heart is waiting just for one. He’s coming soon. She looks from left to right, quietly seated, smiling back generously at those who care enough to share a smile with her. But her brightest smile is saved for one. He’s coming out now. She sees him coming her way in a crisp white shirt, khaki shorts, shoes slightly worn from the day’s activities. At the sound of his voice, her heart skips a beat. He is finally here. “Mommy!!!”, the little boy shouts out as he makes a run towards her. She spreads out her arms, holding him in the warmest of embraces as he buries his face against her white shirt. It’s now covered in little boy sweat and little boy after-school grime. it’s all good, she smiles as she buries her face in his hair. All good.

– submitted by Toni Tiu of Wifely Steps

 

Story Two:

I thought my world ended that day you left. I cried a full year, you know. And I cried in silence, alone. Afraid to let anyone know, because I was afraid they’d say: I told you so. I fought for you, for us, but you didn’t. I tried to make it work; instead, you left. No reasons, no explanations. You just left. I wondered what I could have done differently, and for a year, I cried. I was broken, but I refused to be beaten. I can’t believe it’s been that long. And I can’t believe that I survived. I’m here, and you’re there. I’m happy where I am. I wonder if you are.

– submitted by Marge Aberasturi of The Happy Wahm

You can read the other entries here. You’ll see why I had such a hard time picking a winner. They were all really good! But these two gave me goosebumps. Marge and Toni, I’ll be emailing you your copy of the illustration!

Thank you to everyone who participated! Until next Friday!