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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Winter (the season) (08/13/09)
Shivers In My Timber



To everything there is a season…

The spring wedding wasn’t large, as some are. Even so Heidi and Trent were delighted so many of their family and friends had celebrated with them. They even stayed to see them off to Puerto Vallarta. In the Casa Velas honeymoon suite, Heidi shook rice from her negligee. Her bridesmaids were having a good laugh, no doubt. Life, for Heidi and Trent, seemed perfect.

But winter is coming.

It is summer now and the family has grown. There is Trent Jr. and Cyndi and baby Kimbra. Next year they will all be in school. There will be PTO meetings and Little League and tumbling classes and busy, busy days. Everyone is healthy, happy and … somebody wipe Kimbra’s nose, please. “Hold on, hold on” Heidi laughed, kneeling before her begging children. “When daddy gets home we will go swimming. He’ll be home soon.”

But winter is coming.

“Listen! Heidi. Hear that?” Trent asked, slipping his arm around her shoulders. They were walking a three mile nature-trail circuit, getting their daily exercise. A flock of Sandhill Cranes were silhouetted before the red-ball of a setting sun, migrating south. “Noisy rascals, they are. Happens every fall. Cyn and Jr. should be arriving at their dorm about now. Seems like only yesterday when they were born. Kim’s off to school next year; then it’s just us.”

But winter is coming.

The haunting pulsating wail of the ambulance’s siren faded in the distance as it raced to Herman Memorial Hospital. A hush, like a winter fog, settled over the bystanders huddled on the sidewalk between the mall entrance and the street. Each wondered what the outcome would be? Each wondered if …..

Winter comes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is in winter when tree roots grow, strengthening their foundation and expanding nutrient collecting ability. Every spring lush new foliage and branches provide refreshing shade, often food and become a haven for wildlife and man. It is God’s plan for His creation.

When winter shivers into our life, it is the season that prepares us for greater service. Let us learn a lesson from the trees and grow strong roots.

Without winter we would never understand the passage: …though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

To everything there is a season…

Winter comes. God is equipping.

His Son is coming.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (a) NKJ
Isaiah 1:18 (b) NKJ
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Joy Bach 
08/21/09
This is great reading. Very true to life chronology. I got a little lost at the siren and the end. But very good writing.
Charla Diehl
08/21/09
I liked the chronological way you presented this and the reality that is packed into each short paragraph. I would have liked the "winter" paragraph to have been expanded just a bit so the reader would know who the emergency was for. But maybe you meant each reader to draw their own conclusion. Either way, I enjoyed this.
Mona Purvis
08/25/09
Yes, I want to know who the emergency was for and what happened.
About the Title. Someone here at FW taught me not to use a cliche' or cutesy title. Your story was richer/deeper than the lightness of the title.
Good job.
Mona
Beth LaBuff 
08/25/09
Yes, winter comes into each one's life. Your reminder that "to everything there is a season" is perfect! I like the lesson from the trees.
Colin Swann
08/25/09
Thank you for sharing this unique piece - interesting and thought provoking.
Ada Nett
08/26/09
This was written with a unique style...I too felt a little left out that I didn't know what the emergency was...but none the less a good job!
~Cathy~