Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Fulfillment (04/06/06)
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TITLE: Tracey's treasure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Ward
04/13/06 -
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Glass shattered in every direction as the rock that Cole had thrown hit its mark.
“Now look what you’ve done! You are going straight to your room and not coming out until dinner!”
Cole’s face was fierce. He swung his fists wildly towards his mother as she came towards him prepared to manhandle him to his room for time out.
Later that night on the phone to her own mother, Tracey voiced her worst fears. “Maybe there really is something wrong with him. Maybe it’s a mental illness, maybe he’s allergic to something, or maybe it’s just because I’m a bad mother. Mum, I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything I can think of, and he just won’t stop.”
“Have you thought about trying a counselor? He has been through a lot, with the divorce, moving schools…”
“He’s seen the school counselor, doesn’t seem to have made an ounce of difference.”
“Are you being consistent with him?”
“I’m trying Mum, it’s not easy when you’re by yourself you know.”
After hanging up, Tracey’s thoughts continued…
I’m sure Mum thinks it’s my fault. Maybe she’s right. I thought getting married and having a baby would be the highlight of my life, now I’m divorced and Cole is on the road to who knows where. He’s only 8! What am I going to do if this doesn’t just go away?
The crowd was larger than she had expected.
“And finally, announcing the winner of this year’s Real Estate Institute of Australia’s award for the Residential Salesperson of the Year, Tracey Greenshaw.”
As Tracey confidently shook the president’s hand, and received her trophy, she felt as if the world had slowed to a halt.
All these people think this is a big deal. It should be a big deal, but it doesn’t mean anything to me right now. I’ve never been so numb in all my life. Not even when the police came and told me about Cole. Nothing matters. Nothing seems important. Just keep smiling Tracey, then at the end of the day you can go home to your bourbon.
She smiled, and the crowd saw only an attractive, successful career woman. They knew nothing of the struggles she had faced to get there, nor of the battle currently raging within.
A sparrow landed on the windowsill, and Tracey watched it with joy as she repositioned the crocheted rug on her knee.
Lord, we’ve come a long way, and I sense you’ll soon be calling me home. I want to come Lord! Heaven is a much greater prospect than this, even though you’ve given me so much to be thankful for. I still can’t believe I wasted so much of my life trying to find fulfillment in people and things. Only you have been the answer to my longings Lord. Only you have satisfied the desperation within. How would my life have been different if I’d discovered that treasure sooner? I know Lord, your timing, not mine - but recovery and rebirth at age fifty five? Surely I could have gotten to know you sooner and saved a lot of heartache?
She felt her heart pounding fiercely in her chest, and knew that her time had come, but rather than the fear that had permeated the first half of her life, as she faced her maker, she knew only contentment.
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I agree with Deborah, I think I might have been more attached to Tracey if it had all been one continuous story. Great message, thanks so much for sharing it!