Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Once in a Blue Moon (01/06/11)
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TITLE: The Chance of a Lifetime | Previous Challenge Entry
By Justina Page
01/07/11 -
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Our new home would be 4151 Sue Ellen. There was no lease signed. My husband and Mr. Guillory sealed the contract on a handshake. Our game plan was to stay there for a year or two. Enough time to save up for the dream home we desired. Before we knew it, four more sons were added to the crew and we had spent eight years on Sue Ellen. Mr. Guillory made it especially appealing to stay. He was quick to do any repairs needed. He even started a savings account for our three oldest boys. He was obviously smitten with the kids. We did not see him as the landlord but a favored family friend. The house fire threatened to shred that friendship to pieces. Even though the source of the fire was never officially declared, the cause of the fire still existed. The death of a child, injury of multiple family members, and the total destruction of a home is a massive burden to lie on any human’s shoulder. Mr. Guillory took that load upon himself.
Periodically, my husband would pass on messages from Mr. Guillory and his inquiries about how Ben & I were doing. I acknowledged them verbally but inwardly I ignored them. I knew he was seeking forgiveness. I wasn’t ready to release him. I couldn’t help but remember the gray tape that covered some wires in the attic my husband told me about. He had asked Mr. Guillory to take a look at it. It was the one thing he never did. I concluded that the cause of the fire was the faulty wiring in the attic that he neglected to look into. It was his fault.
I was at home in the den reclining on my comfortable cream leather sectional when the phone rang and Jonathon raced to answer it. “Page residence”, Jonathon answered in his adult voice. “Hi Daddy..Yes Sir. Mother it’s Daddy Man.” It was not the conversation I expected. My husband had called to tell me that Mr. Guillory wanted to see me. He wanted to apologize face to face. I had made a conscientious decision to forgive him but the idea of seeing him made me question the sincerity of my proclamation.
My husband had made it home from work, dinner was finished, and the boys were in their rooms playing. My stomach was in knots. How did I really feel about this man? At 7pm sharp there was a knock at the door. I smiled in spite myself. Mr. Guillory, always punctual and a man of his word - except the time I needed him most. The emotional tug of war had begun before he even got inside of the door. My husband embraced him in the foyer for a long period of time. I overheard him telling him it was alright. My heart softened. It was a tough road and a long journey ahead of us but we were coming out as victors. God was taking care of us in a miraculous way.
In an instant of clarity I realized that Mr. Guillory was not okay. He was wounded, deeply sorry, and desperate for forgiveness. He entered the den where I was sitting and froze. His eyes were red and watery and he didn’t utter a word. His trepidation was apparent. My heart went out to him. I held the key to the prison door he had enclosed himself in. Without thinking twice I waved him over and we embraced. It didn’t even have to be said. We were basking in a sea of forgiveness. The currents were electrifying. It was a simple decision that eased the tension of a very complex situation. The decision to forgive. Forgiveness had washed and refreshed all of our souls. This was the chance of a lifetime; a time to free a soul by simply forgiving.
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I sense there is much more to this story than the word count allowed.
thank you for sharing i know how difficult it is to lose a child
It was a bit difficult for me to get into the the piece at the beginning. I felt the description and size of the house wasn't needed to get to the heart of the story. I did however like the relationship the family had with the landlord. This seemed essential to your story as forgiveness is often most difficult when we've been wronged by people we are close to. Good job!
It's also difficult to write in first person without beating the "I" to death. Consider making two sentences into one, to cut down on so many sentences that begin with "I" Ex. I knew he was seeking forgiveness,
Loved the focus on forgiveness and how you tied it all together with a great ending.
Great Job!!