Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write an INSPIRATIONAL or DEVOTIONAL piece (04/26/07)
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TITLE: A Rose-Colored Glow | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rita Garcia
04/30/07 -
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I had acclimated to small town life as if I had been born into it. We honeymooned in our home overlooking the lake and there we settled into an easy flow. I was having the time of my life putting my personal touch on our home’s décor.
What’s that old saying, “the calm before the storm?” All too soon the rosy-glow lost its brilliance.
Before our marriage I had been injured and Margie, Willard’s sister, took me into her home. They became the family I no longer had. I was an only child; both of my parents had been killed in an automobile accident a few years earlier.
Margie not only welcomed me into her home but my dog, Lady, as well. Lady is my companion and my ears. I lost my hearing as a young adult due to illness.
Back to Margie ... when I married her brother, she stood by my side as my maid-of-honor. Not only did I gain a husband that day, but I was blessed with the sister I always longed for.
On this particularly beautiful spring morning I was busy stripping wallpaper off the dinning room walls. Lady alerted me that someone was at the door. I opened the door to find Margie standing on my front porch with tears cascading as if a fountain had been turned on.
I took her hand, “Margie come in, and tell me what’s wrong.” My heart skipped a beat as fear gripped my stomach. “Tell me Margie.”
“I’m sorry to burst in on you like this, Shannon. I didn’t know where else to turn.” She took the tissues I offered. “I found a lump in my breast and I am so scared.”
“Oh, Margie, let’s get over to doc’s office right away.” I wiped my tears. “That’s the only way to put your mind at ease.”
“You don’t understand. My mother died of breast cancer. Do you know how much that increases the odds that this lump means business? That’s why I can’t tell my brother right now.”
Willard and I sat in the waiting room while Margie was in surgery. We held hands and prayed that God would guide the hands of her surgeon. We prayed He would give us strength. The clock in the waiting room ticked away for what seemed like hours. I reached for Willard’s hand as the surgeon came over and took a seat next to us.
“The surgery went fine and Margie came through with flying colors. The tumor is malignant, however, we caught it early.”
“Did you have to…?” I couldn’t get the words to come out of my mouth.
“The tumor was small and we were able to do a lumpectomy, since there were no cancer cells in the tissue surrounding the tumor.”
“Will she need further treatment?” Willard wiped his hand across his face.
“We will need to follow up with radiation treatments. In a day or two, when Margie is up to it, we will discuss her options. Right now she is going to need all the support you two can give her.”
It was wonderful having Margie home. I sat by her bed watching her sleep and prayed over her thanking God for her life and asking Him to give her strength.
She opened her eyes and reached for my hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.” I don’t know what I would do without you and Willard.”
“Where else would I be when my sister needs me.” I brushed her hair off her face. “Lady chose that moment to hop on Margie’s bed. “I do think she loves her Aunt Margie … and speaking of aunts, how would you feel about a little nephew?”
Margie raised her head off the pillow, “Are you saying …?” Her emerald eyes twinkled as if they were actual gems.
“Yeah, lil sister, that’s what I’m saying.” I laid my head on Lady’s golden fur. Life was renewing itself, promising us a future filled with hope and, if you look closely enough, a rose-colored glow.
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I noticed a few misplaced quotation marks, but other than that the writing is very good.
What a positive message that most people need to hear, repeatedly.