Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog-hop. Each week, participants sign up HERE at Weekend Writing Warriors, then post 8 sentences of their work, published or unpublished, to go live between 12:00 noon Saturday, and 9:00 AM Sunday EST. Then we visit each other, read, comment, critique, encourage–all those great things that do a solitary writer's heart good.
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For once, I didn't have to be Strong Sue, the good girl. I was free to be the real me, hiking through the forest, watching the beavers, avoiding mama moose, joining in with the bullfrog chorus, spying on Golden Eagles, and laughing at the otters and muskrats… just enjoying the sacred dance of life.
I was still on 24/7 suicide watch for my husband, who was on heavy narcotics for the chronic pain from failed back surgeries. There was still domestic violence in our home, and the line between narcotic effects and just plain woman-hating was hard to distinguish, back then. But in the midst of the uncertainty a sense of deep awe and wonder embraced my weary spirit, wrapped my hemorraging heart, and filled me with hope! It was the best of times even in the midst of the worst of times.
For two years we lived in our rural mountain paradise, and then the big city showed up at our front door. Filmmakers from Toronto landed in our small town of Trout Creek, setting up camp in our little mountain home with lights and cameras, shooting pictures and making a movie.
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The above eight sentences are in the middle of a blog post. Full story at Moving that Mountain to Find Your true Self
THANK YOU!!!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my, I just read the full post. I didn't realize this was a true story—your story. Good for you finding your way back.
Hi Cindy,
Yep, I’ll own up to it – sometimes Truth is stranger than fiction. I’m thinking of turning this into fiction, though. Thanks for reading and commenting!
It was going along so nice then BAM! Quite powerful. I'm wondering what gave her hope in the midst of all of that. Guess we'll have to wait and see. I'm curiouse why the fim crew is there too. Very intriguing snippet, Susan.
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Thanks, Cindy, for your encouragement!
24/7 suicide watch for a man involved in domestic abuse. What a charge! What givers her "a sense of deep awe and wonder embraced my weary spirit" ? It seems to be enough to keep her going along with her moments with nature. But suicide watch means every 15 minutes which doesn't leave much time with nature.
Hi Carol,
I appreciate seeing the scene through your eyes. Fortunately, the house is in the mountains, the river in the front yard, so the beavers and eagles, bears and lions, are literally in her yard. It’s quite a unique location.
Thanks so much for your feedback – it really helps!
Very touching scene – the reader can certainly understand her pain and the joy that nature gives her. Think the movie company could provide many additional problems. Great #8
You’re so right on track, Susan – the movie making did add more problems! Thanks so much reading and understanding more than just the words on the page!
Quite a life you've had, Susan. The disruption of that little world could bring about some wonderful changes or some nasty ones…or both.
That’s a great insight, Kate – you’re right, the storyline descends deeper into hell for awhile, but there’s a lot of redemption and restoration. Thanks so much for listening from your heart!
Wow, I was rolling along with the good feelings, the beauty of nature…and then the bad things started piling up for her…and THEN the film company arrived! You got so much into one short excerpt – I'm in awe.
Your encouraging words means so very much – thank you, Veronica!
I'm glad she has a place of peace.
Hi Elaine – me, too…. lots of twists and turns in the river, though…. Thank you so much for listening and commenting!
Wow. A literal punch to the gut. Amazing. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Hi Karysa,
It’s interesting to see through your eyes, to gain objective perspective – this is really helpful. Thank you so much, Karysa!
This is an interesting premise. I enjoyed the scene and I can't help wondering how the arrival of the movie-types will impact on this couple.
Hi Elaine,
Your thoughts help me to understand what the reader is thinking, and I appreciate your perspective – thanks!
Sue seems to have a lot going on. I’m glad she can enjoy some time to be herself.
Hi Linda,
She was taking care of her disabled husband as a 24/7 caregiver, so the time to rest in such a place of beauty meant a lot – thanks so much for helping me to see more objectively. I appreciate you 🙂
Very intriguing setup!
Hi Steven,
Thanks so much for reading and your encouraging words 🙂
That passage really drew me in, and left me wanting to find out more. Excellent stuff.
Hi Stevie – This is my 1st time in the Weekend Warrior Writers – it’s very encouraging to hear from you – thanks!
This is packed with information and emotion. I like it. Especially the last para. Sounds like hope just rolled into town. 🙂 Good 8!
Hi Teresa,
I’m glad you liked it. It was a very deceptive hope, and actually the beginning of the worst… but the story does have a good ending. Thanks so much for your encouraging words!
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