Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Hum (06/06/13)
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TITLE: The Expert Hummer | Previous Challenge Entry
By Andrea Van Ye
06/13/13 -
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I think it came naturally to her, or so it seemed.
When I was a little girl, I heard her hum everywhere, all the time.
When we walked the mile to the grocery story each day, to get just what we needed for that day, she hummed.
When we sat in the stiff wooden chairs at Wrigley Field, eating hot dogs and crunching on nuts, while watching the Chicago Cubs, she hummed.
When she washed the dishes and I dried them, she hummed.
When she went to the beauty parlor to have her hair done, she hummed.
When she made breakfast and lunch and dinner and peanut butter and honey on toast for me every night, she hummed.
When she worked in the kitchen while I snuggled in her bed, down the hall, she hummed.
When she hand laundered her nylons and hung them to dry, she hummed.
When she was sad over the death of yet another family member or friend, she hummed.
When she was alone, she hummed.
When she was in a crowd, she hummed.
My grandma was an expert hummer!
I loved listening to her hum, and if I leaned in and listened very closely, I heard the hum of her heart, and it brought me peace.
I don’t know why she hummed. Maybe she didn’t know either. I heard her hum when she was happy and I heard her hum when she was sad. I never heard her hum when she was mad. I don’t think it is possible to hum mad!
Her life was not often easy. She lived through the sorrows and sacrifices of World War I and World War II. She only went to school through eighth grade. She grew up living frugally, working in her father’s bakery, and making ends meet for as long as I can remember. She raised two children and supported her husband. She struggled with illnesses and heartaches, and the trials of growing old.
But along the way, my grandma’s heart found a place of contentment and she filled that space, with the sweet, melodious hum of her heart.
And the hum of her content heart hummed hope for me.
Hearing her hum made me happy. It made me feel secure. I didn’t always need her words, just hearing her hum assured me that she was there, that all was well, that I was loved and that I was safe.
My grandma is gone now. I recall her and her humming fondly, but now, more importantly and powerfully, I find contentment in the hum of God’s heart for me. He is the One who loves me, makes me feel safe and secure, and is always there for me.
And when I lean in closely to the Lord and listen contentedly, the hum of His heart brings peace to me.
He is the Expert Hummer whose heart hums hope for me.
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Your Grandma sounds delightful! You did a good job of describing her and showing her influence. God is good to give us such memories of special people. Good writing.
Very cool. Nice flow, I understand with internet writing a fast pace is important but felt the initial start a little spread out as mentioned. I also heard at a writing conference recently that it is a good idea to refrain from exclamation marks to often or close together. I am guilty of this! <--
Though it was a nice read and I'm sure your Grandmother would be touched, as is God.