The Things We Carry.

Sorry for the gap in posts. I was unable to sign into my account for some reason. The 'glitch' seems to be fixed now. Hurray!

I attended a workshop on writing for Island Parent Magazine recently. It was fun and informative, motivating me to get on writing and submitting potential articles to them. I'll let you know if any get published!

They had a 10 minute 'prompt' style challenge. Where we each wrote about whatever came to mind, with the option to share or just listen afterwards.

The prompt was 'The Things We Carry'.

Here is what came to me:

The Things We Carry...

How often did we cringe, as young, carefree children when our elders used a word, a phrase, a point 100 times too many?

Your Mom using your middle name on which was surely the fifth time calling you in for dinner.

Your babysitter preaching that 'It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye'.

Your Nana starting a story with 'I'm sure I've told you this - but...' and indeed embarking on a story you remember better than her by now.

I remember the exasperation, the eye rolling, the tuning out of said anecdotes and words.

Then, unbeknownst to me, I grew up. I've had children of my own. I've caught myself in the same snarls of life, using those once scoffed at expressions.

Now though, even as I catch myself and see the inevitable eye roll from my own smalls, I feel love in these sayings.

I feel closer to my Mom. My Nana. Other, now considered wise, adults who have shaped my life. I pause and ponder, 'What else was that she said?'

I use these small tools and bits of knowledge when sharing and bestowing wisdom to friends and family.

They have become some of the most cherished things I carry.

Smiles, Be Well,

Crystal