Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.
Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) and my friend Shannon is doing it (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.
Today's prompt: Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
Hope is a word that I use often and not just because it happens to be my youngest daughter's name (a.k.a. mommy's little ticket into heaven) but, after years of exhaustive study (i.e. stupid insomnia!) I've come to the conclusion that, for me, the benefits of remaining hopeful far outweigh the risks of considering an alternate ending.
Then, life throws a curve ball and knocks those rose-colored glasses right off of my face and, well, maybe if I had remembered to wear my crash helmet.
But, this is NOT about me.
It's about watching the people I love the most, get smacked in the soft-squishy areas, time and time again, where your body's immediate reaction is to double over and puke.
When the best I could do is, you know, hold the bucket.
Then again, I could think of worse things (which is what I was doing, considering our annual 4th of July picnic at Ft. Dix) then one of my kids (and, I can't tell you exactly who) pointed at the sky and, well, it took my breath away.
"Looks like fingers reaching out from heaven, doesn't it?"
Okay, but I was thinking more like strands of cotton candy.
"Thank you."
It was when my SIL poked me that I realized, you know, she wasn't talking to the sky.
"For what?"
Then again, she might as well have been.
"For just…you know…letting me be…right here…with you guys."
That's it? I mean, really, my SIL was the one who beat cancer, the BEE-YOTCH (cancer, not my SIL!) and all I did was, you know, hold her hand.
Still.
It was MY George Bailey moment and it's okay if you think it TOTALLY CORNY (my SIL would agree with you, btw) but, it felt REALLY good, you know?
Aaaand so, 2011, I remain, yours truly, a little corny and totally filled with hope, with perhaps just a dash of anxiety, for good measure.
© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping
Comments
21 responses to “#Reverb10: Moment”
Lovely.
Lovely.
Lovely.
Lovely.
Lovely.
Lovely.
Lovely.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
This had me close to tears– Hope is the only thing in my life that has pushed me to keep going when all the things that have happened, happened. Hope is what has kept me alive. You, my friend, are awesome.
Beautiful and hopeful!
Beautiful and hopeful!
Beautiful and hopeful!
Beautiful and hopeful!
Beautiful and hopeful!
Beautiful and hopeful!
Beautiful and hopeful!