Friday, January 21, 2011

A Challenge but I'm Nervous

I'm going to try this challenge from one of my favorite blogs.  I'm drawn to the personality of this girl who reveals her energy and heart through words. And she loves South Africa with a similar longing to mine for  South Alabama.  How can that be?  We long for our true home - our roots - yet it's neither South Africa nor South Alabama - but it feels like it, to each of us.

Her challenge?

"I've been thinking about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words.  And I figured, why not take 5 minutes and see what comes out:  not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing."
"Sit down, think of the most unique person you encountered while you were out and about this week,
and write them into life for us.  In five minutes flat." http://thegypsymama.com/2011/01/five-minute-friday-person-prompt/


Start.


1951.  Our moms sharing their stories - how it feels - pregnancy.  They were carrying each of us and ready to be done with it and having us on the outside instead of the inside. We've heard the story many times and told it ourselves.
2011.  I'm sitting on her couch - her hospitality still running strong - one of the many gifts her Creator blessed her with.
She's Martha.  We lived in different places in our small town, different churches and different grades.  I had been 3 months ahead of her getting into this world.
Our lives have been intertwined, yet we've had experiences which placed us in different places only to find ourselves back in that same familiar place - sharing our stories and our history.
Last night, I was in her home again - and we laughed and almost cried.  We discussed trials and how it feels to suffer - and laughed with our mutual friend - also sharing the same space.  It's a gift - someone like her, in my life.  With her trials - she looks more like her Creator.  He's shaped her and it's beautiful to see.

Stop.


Well, I did it - but it took 6 minutes instead of 5 minutes.

Martha, if you read this - well - you're a treat and I couldn't resist writing about you.  The challenge didn't ask for 2 people, because I wanted to also write about Val - equally unique to me.

I don't even know if I did this link up thing correctly with the post I've told about.  I hope I did.
If anyone does the math I'm almost 60 and this computer stuff has come late to me - so - we'll see.

I'm going back to Scottsboro today.  I've been in Birmingham with my sweet husband for 3 days.

Happy Friday.

2 comments:

Emily T. Thomas said...

this is great! I couldn't wuite stop at 5 minutes - but will be working towards that goal.
LIB

Lindsey V said...

I love the rich feeling of history in your post from your mother's anticipation to your own personal joys and struggles over the years! Just Beautiful! AND...your link was GREAT b/c I am finding you from Gypsy Mama!
You got it, girl! Age is SO just a number!!