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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
“Hurry up, guys. We’re late for soccer practice!” She called to the back seat of the mini-van. Dinner decisions in the McDonald’s drive-thru were always grand events of indecision, but she always made sure they ordered as healthy as possible. She, on the other hand, relished her quarter pounder with cheese and super-sized fries as a consolation for having to sit through two hours of soccer practice. That evening, she sat on the bottom bleacher, thoughtfully sipping a coke as she scribbled a list of possibilities on what she could make for the church bake sale that weekend. After only a second of indecision, she circled “brownies” since that was her favorite. A double batch would leave her with some extras to snack on for the following week when she didn’t have time to eat lunch. A slight breeze blew her paper up. She pushed it back down, glancing annoyingly at the two women race walking past her around the field.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake, get off the road!” She drummed her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel and rolled her eyes as she turned onto her neighborhood street balancing her mocha double cappuccino in the other hand. “I can’t believe that woman is jogging with her baby carriage on the street. And that outfit? Good grief, who has time to match their clothes like that?” Her screeching tires brought the kids ambling out of the house with jackets casually slung over their tall shoulders and basketballs under their arms. She smiled at her teens and her eyes misted. Where did the time go? They went from her little soccer stars to towering first-string basketball players with scholarships potentially waiting in the wings. “Hmm, must have been all that milk from McDonalds I fed them over the years.” She mused.

As the music swelled, anxious family members began to strain to get a glimpse and a quick snapshot of their child walking down the aisle. With tears beginning to well in her eyes, she added snapshots of her grown sons into the digital camera that held a lifetime of memories on the tiny disc. College-bound and so tall and handsome, she felt contentment as her heart swelled with pride. She suddenly realized how exhausted she was as she tried to catch her breath standing up after the service. Her husband held her arm to balance her so she could pick up her crutches. Five weeks after knee surgery and she could feel her frustration mounting at her continued limitations as she struggled to balance on the crutches. The doctor’s warning words still resonated in her mind about losing weight and exercising. “Well, I guess now we can begin to travel and enjoy all those trips we dreamed of taking someday now that the boys are grown.” Her husband’s enthusiastic words brought her out of her revere. She glanced over at him and meant to give him a smile, but his face slowly faded from her view as the pain came in a rolling wave.

Her eyelids slowly fluttered opened to a sea of white and an awful smell of sterility. Her husband quickly answered her question of fear that was mirrored in his own eyes. “Honey, just rest. The doctor said you had a heart attack and you’ll need a triple bypass. But God’s given us a second chance and we’ll do this together. He said you’ll need to be on a strict diet and begin an exercise program when this is all over. You know how I love to cook, and now maybe you’ll let me begin my new hobby! And we can start walking together in that park near our house. I’m sure Princess would love to go on walks with us too.” She tried to smile at the enthusiasm of her husband’s nervous ramblings, but started to drift off to her husband’s soothing voice and encouraging promises. With a grateful and repentant heart, she closed her eyes and her mind began to play back that movie called “Regrets” as visions of broccoli and carrots danced in her head.
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This article has been read 1434 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Kristina LeCroy
03/13/08
I love your topic, partially because it really hit home with me. Thank you for a great story.
Lyn Churchyard
03/16/08
Great story and good take on the topic.

I particularly liked "With a grateful and repentant heart, she closed her eyes and her mind began to play back that movie called “Regrets” as visions of broccoli and carrots danced in her head". Very descriptive. Well done.
Shayne Catoe
03/16/08
Ouch, that's a kicker. I sure need to hit the stationary bike now. Thanks for the eye opening pictures.
Lyn Churchyard
03/16/08
A good take on coming from 'death unto life'. I particularly liked the very descriptive “Ingomar dipped his toes into the occult and got his pinkies burned”.
I'm guessing in the last paragraph, Ingomar has been confused and frustrated by the traditions of the church (even lively churches) and just "let go and let God" take over. Well done.
Lyn Churchyard
03/16/08
ignore my the comment above. I don't know how it ended up on this entry. It jumped out of the entry back to the homepage. Sorry.
Yvonne Blake 
03/16/08
Our children do grow up too fast. My youngest just went off to college.
I could empathize with the mother making lists while watching the ball game.
There's a good lesson in your story.
Thank you for writing this.
Joshua Janoski
03/16/08
I recently began a diet and exercise program, because I realized that my temple needs to be in better shape than it currently is. This story reminded me of my fears, and how I want to prevent an unhealthy future like this from happening.

I liked how her husband was supportive of her and was going to help her make some changes. We should never have to struggle alone. It's always nice to have someone by our side to encourage us and keep us motivated.

Thank you for sharing!
Debbie Wistrom
03/19/08
Your descriptions are well done in regards to the kids and the growing up process. Keep writing.