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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write in the ROMANCE genre (04/19/07)
April 20th , 1849


Dear diary:

Today I write with sadness as my one true love has left me with a void in my heart like nothing else could. As I saw his smile for the last time I lost something inside forever. Like the leaves falling from the trees in late autumn, drifting towards their end I too feel this is the end of me. I have spent the last three years of my life devoted to this man. I made him the center of my world. I lived to make him happy and to see his joyous face each morning. He owned me heart and soul. Now with one dismal wave he has vanished from my presence forevermore.

Whatever shall I do now? I no longer know what makes me happy or how to heal this pain so deep within my heart. I feel as though the very beat of my heart left with him in that wagon today. The emptiness I feel will never go away. I will never see happiness again when I gaze into the mirror only a hollow, empty shell of what used to be me. God has placed a burden within my spirit I know I shall never recover from. I see no end to the pain.

Alas, I shall pen no more tonight, sleep will come and I will drift off with hope filled dreams of what use to be.

Good Night Diary
Susan


April 21st, 1849


Dear Diary:

This being the second day without Henry and the pain is still as sharp as a knife in my soul. Dreams kept from true slumber yesterday and I hope tonight I will find some peace in my spirit and sleep till morn without much disruption. If only I could figure out what I did to make Henry stop loving me. I thought hard today as I finished my chores. Talking to the horses in the barn helped ease the thoughts of sadness in my head. In fact Mirabelle, my beloved mare, nodded in agreement when I told her I was defiantly going to have to move on with my life and begin anew. A fresh start is what I need, but for now I just miss Henry.

I miss his soft voice in my ear. The adoring looks he sent my way. The daisies he left on my doorstep. The savory picnic lunches by the creek in the warm sunlight. All these things are gone. What could ever replace such splendor in ones’ life? Only now looking back on all that is passed I see the true romance of the love we once shared. How could he just leave all this behind and move on to new territory? Did his love for adventure override what he knew to be true love?

Well tomorrow is a new day. I’ll say my prayers that God keeps Henry safe in his travels to the West. Maybe God has a plan for Henry, one bigger than I can see out my window.

Good Night Diary
Susan


May 15th, 1849

Dear Diary:

Sorry I have not written in awhile but my days have been filled with work. Mirabelle has delivered her newborn colt and the weather has been quite frightful with the tornadoes and such that have been exploding about. I still have not heard from Henry so I now must accept that he is gone for good. I had hoped he would return on the back of a stallion and whisk me away. Ah what a silly dream. I am slowly learning what makes me happy. The gently falling rain on the meadow. The vibrant smell of spring in the air. The flowers blooming on the mountainside in all their colorful glory and the amazing sight of a Mississippi sunset, God sure knows how to paint the sky when He goes to sleep at night.

There are so many things God has shown me since Henry left. I can make myself happy. I need not depend on a man to bring me my joyfulness, I can rejoice in the Lord and He will make me glad. Almost a month has passed since Henry left and I can feel the pain beginning to diminish. I can look forward to another day without him. I am beginning a new romance with nature. I shall sleep well tonight as the heavy spring rains begin to fall and the night sky dances with excitement.

Good Night Diary
Susan
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This article has been read 1315 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Janice Cartwright
04/27/07
A unique and creative approach that I have seen in books but not for the short-story. Great job of conveying the ache of a lost love and how God has provided the healing process as part of the way in which we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Nature too is a great healer, not Mother Nature, but nature that God created. Very good writing!
Jacquelyn Horne
04/27/07
A thoughtful walk through a young woman's diary. Good pov here. Yes, God helps us fill the voids that come into our lives. Good writing.
pam Leitermann
04/27/07
This was very good kept my interest, Good Job
Donna Powers
04/30/07
This is very true, and it was well written. I feel like we had a glimpse into this young woman's life. Nice work!
Rita Garcia
05/02/07
I love this story being told through the pages of a diary! Creative and sucessful!
Cheri Hardaway
05/02/07
Very nice work. I like the diary approach. Blessings, Cheri
Julie Arduini
05/03/07
I loved the diary format, the time period, and her insightfulness. An enjoyable read!
william price
05/03/07
Some very sharp, crisp writing. I enjoyed it very much. Not a big fan of diary stories, but you pulled it off well. I'm impressed. God bless.
Mona Lisa
05/03/07
You captured the elements of the senses experiencing her pain and her healing from a lost love. Wonderfully written.
Clyde Blakely
05/04/07
She should have dumped that jerk Henry long ago. Waste of time if you ask me. Glad she's moving on and you're still writing. Good job and God bless.