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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Feel (emotions) (08/26/10)
Characters:
The Interpreter – Deaf Interpreter who acts out the word she is signing
Rachel – wife of a U.S. Marine officer, and mother of 2 young children
Narrator—Tells Rachel’s story from Rachel’s point-of-view

Summary:
We watch Rachel as she works through the raw emotional stages of grief.


(The Interpreter is standing stage right with a single spotlight on her. There is a small folding table center stage with 4 chairs around it.)

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘happy’, while sporting a huge smile.)

(Rachel enters stage-left, with a cell phone to her ear. Spotlight widens to include The Interpreter and Rachel.)

RACHEL
Is that okay? I want Samuel’s birthday party to be the best one ever. (pauses for a few seconds) You can make it? Oh that will be so WONderful! Thank you so much. Okay, bye.(clicks her cell phone off.)

NARRATOR
My name is Rachel. My son was turning 5 in just a few days, and I was so happy about life that day, but that was about to dramatically change.

RACHEL
Where are my keys?

(Sound effect: knocking on a door.)

RACHEL
Oh, no--who could it be now? I don’t have time for this. I have to buy a birthday cake and little hats and (exits stage-right).

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘rushed’, while running in place.)

NARRATOR
I went to the front door and when I opened it I wanted to slam it shut. Two grim-faced Marines met me and told me that my husband was killed in action while heroically serving our country in Afghanistan.

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘shocked’, with a look of horror on her face.)

NARRATOR
I didn’t know what to say, except a weak “Thank you.” I was shocked.

RACHEL
(enters stage-right) I can’t believe this. No way. This isn't happening to me. This is NOT happening to me. (grabs one of the card table chairs, sits down and runs her hand through her hair).

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘denial’, while shaking her head ‘no’.)

RACHEL
This can’t be happening to me… this can’t be happening to US…

NARRATOR
The more I thought about it, the more the shock wore off. Eventually, the shock I felt transformed into anger.

RACHEL
But why…Lord…why? Why is this happening to me? (abruptly stands up) WHY?

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘anger’, while pounding a clenched fist into one hand.)

RACHEL
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US? WHY? WHY? WHY? (tosses one chair aside, and begins to cry, turns and sits down, and puts her head in her hands.)

NARRATOR
At that point my hands were shaking with adrenaline. My thoughts were speeding faster than a NASCAR race on a sunny day. Finally, after a few moments, I took a few deep breaths and settled down. I began to bargain with God.

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘bargain’, while acting as if she were shopping.)

RACHEL
Okay, Lord…we can do this. I promise I'll be a better person. I promise to stop getting so angry with You. I want so much to do what’s right. I’ll try…no… I’ll strive to do better. I promise.

NARRATOR
I promised a lot of things that day, but I think my heart was still racing with anger. After I made a long list of unrealistic promises I realized what I was saying, and knew in my heart there was NO WAY I could keep them all. The shock, denial, anger and empty promises made me feel just that – so empty. The sad reality of it all struck me and I spun into depression.

THE INTERPRETER
Makes sign language sign for ‘depression’, while displaying a very sad face.)

RACHEL
(picks up her cell phone) Who is this? Oh, hi. Yeah, we’re gonna have to cancel the Birthday Party. Yeah, the Memorial Service is scheduled for Samuel’s birthday. I don’t know. I just don’t care anymore. I really don’t care.

NARRATOR
I had NO IDEA I would be celebrating Samuel’s birthday while accepting a tri-folded American flag from the coffin of my fallen husband. I hugged that flag and wept. It was the hardest day of my life. During the next few weeks, my closest friends from church comforted and helped me. Finally, I accepted the situation.

RACHEL
(motions to the church audience) Thank you all for loving me through this time in my life.

THE INTERPRETER
(Makes sign language sign for ‘love’, with a smile.)



+++

Reference: Corinthians 1:3-5 (New Living Translation)

God Offers Comfort to All

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
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This article has been read 1725 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jeanne E Webster
09/03/10
Well written portrayal of grief knocking on the door and entering in uninvited. Thank you for sharing with us the feelings of shock and denial that accompany death of a loved one.
Good description of stage dynamics.
Blessings and happy days. :)
AnneRene' Capp
09/05/10
Reader: Presentation of this story was a nice change and you made it so easy to be in Rachel's shoes. I felt as though I was playing her role.
Genia Gilbert
09/05/10
Good approach to show the topic. Grief brings all the emotions/feeling you described. I like the way you led into the comfort of God.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/06/10
This was a touching tribute to all heroes everywhere. You definitely went through all of the emotions of grief.