Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Red (10/01/09)
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TITLE: A Dozen Reasons | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
10/05/09 -
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I looked at the calendar again, then at the blank page of the notepad. I started writing, straight from the heart.
There are so many things I want to say; so many reasons I am thankful for you. First, please forgive me for taking you for granted.
Please forgive me for any wrong I have done to you, either on purpose or by simple neglect.
I love how your Irish eyes smile as you gracefully comb back your auburn hair with your fingers. I love you so, so much—so deeply—it makes me cry when I remember how sweet you were to me the day you said, “I will… I WILL marry you!”
Fourth, no matter what happens in our lives together, you stick with me. I remember when my mom got so sick, and you stayed by her side at our house for months—and how you endured all her harsh comments about how you were NOT her REAL daughter, and how she wanted you to GO AWAY. One day when she really realized she was going to die, you sang to her that sweet song, Amazing Grace. You are an angel. She repented and turned to Christ that day: I am extremely thankful.
Remember when I lost my job? It was a dark day. Until that day, I was so confident—perhaps a wee bit haughty—and thought that the “unemployment wave” would never affect us. Then, when it did, I loved how you reacted. “God knows,” you whispered as you gently hugged me, “We’ll get through this. Jesus will provide.” What faith you have!
I am so thankful for you to agree with me to adopt our 3 children. Oh, so many headaches and heartaches…and love.
Seventh, thank you for allowing God to use you in the music ministry. I love it when you sing so emotionally and enthusiastically for God.
I love your spirit: your positive, purposeful attitude attracts people to Christ.
People always say to me, “What a wonderful wife you have.” I always answer, “I know, I am blessed.”
Thank you for homeschooling our children. They may not appreciate it now; but some day they will hug you and thank you themselves.
I love the precious moments we spend together, like when we giggle and share Rocky Road ice cream watching the sunset in the scarlet sky.
Finally, I appreciate your deep relationship with God. Everything in our lives is blessed because of Jesus, and your willingness to stay close to Him.
A dozen reasons, and a dozen red roses. You deserve it!
Love Always,
your hubby
I typed up the Dozen Reasons via the online Flower Order Form and set it to be delivered to our home on our Anniversary. To-be-honest, I forgot all about the order in the busy-ness of working at my new job.
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It was a crazy “bad” day at work: everything that could go wrong, did. I walked in the house, and immediately sensed, something is wrong.
It was too quiet. WAY too quiet.
Questions and thoughts bombarded my mind.
Where’s my wife? Where are the kids?
I was interrupted by the doorbell. Then I noticed a squad car parked out front.
“OH-OH…” I said aloud.
I opened the door, and greeted two officers. One was a lady.
She gave me the bad news.
“Sir, we’re sorry to inform you that your wife—“
“Where is she? Where are the kids?”
“Your wife and children were killed in a car crash on the interstate.”
“Ohhh… nooo…” I slid down on the doorway and sat down with tears flowing.
A few minutes later at 6:00 p.m., a white delivery truck pulled up in the driveway. The driver hopped out, walked over and handed me a package.
Slowly, agonizing over every move, I opened the box. It was the flowers I ordered for my wife.
I grabbed all 12 red roses and hugged them, sobbing.
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I felt kind of yanked around by the surprise...it was such a huge contrast to the sweetness of the first half.
I like your title--good "hook".
Again this has shown us how very important it is to take every opportunity to express our love and appreciation to those close to us. Well done.