Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: INDEFATIGABLE (02/11/16)
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TITLE: Something New | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ellen Carr
02/18/16 -
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She was sitting in her swing chair rocking herself with one foot. Up and down, up and down. A soft breeze brushed her face with deliciously cool air. She closed her eyes, swinging back and forth, the movement calming her, settling her.
She whispered a prayer. “Thank you for being patient with me, Lord. I know I'm a slow learner.”
Dee was not used to sitting like this. Usually she sat to eat, or check her email and lists. When she watched TV she had her laptop on her knees or her phone in her hand.
She knew that people could depend on her. What she said she would do she did, and she did it well. At last count she was on eight committees, all important.When someone had to arrive first to open up, Dee was the one. When things needed tidying up and doors locking, she was last out, making sure everything was done.
In her heart Dee knew she should delegate tasks; others needed to learn the ropes and take some responsibility. But, as the old saying goes, if you want a thing done properly do it yourself. And, if the truth were known, she liked being busy, being needed, burning the candle at both ends.
Dee worked in a real estate agency and loved every minute of it. She enjoyed matching clients to homes and seeing her hunches proved correct. Clients would call all hours of the day or night and Dee was always ready to talk, or at least ring them back. For four years in a row she won Agent of the Year.
“Nothing's too hard for Dee,” said her manager as he presented the award. “She works tirelessly and has beaten her own sales record yet again.”
It had been a compromise to agree to work on Sundays. But at least it was only mornings, so Dee could get to a later church service at Marlborough Baptist. She sang with the church band and helped choose the music. She loved the practices and being involved in the worship, and Jason, dear Jason, happily dropped the girls off for the morning services with their friends.
Dee was thankful for technology. Her smartphone diary was a life-saver. It reminded her of appointments and family activities. It was rarely out of her sight and never out of earshot. Each morning she would scan its lists and set up reminders. She couldn't remember missing an appointment, and always made sure she arrived on time. She managed to fit more into a day than many people fitted into a week.
“I don't know how you do it, Dee,” said her mother. “You only have to tell me what's on your plate for the week and I'm exhausted already. Just take care that you don't burn out dear. Give yourself some down time, some time for yourself.”
Dee laughed. “Don't worry, Mom. I must have inherited Dad's genes. I have a deep tank of energy. And I love being on the go.”
It was a moonless night as Dee locked up the church hall after music practice, as she always did. As she pulled the key out and turned towards her car, her foot caught on something and she crashed heavily onto the pavement. Her music flew out of her hands and pain shot through her ankle. She yelped; the pain was excruciating. The others had gone, so she groped in her bag for her phone and pressed her speed-dial to home.
Jason was there in a flash and had her hobbling painfully to his car.
“I'm taking you straight to Emergency, Dee. I'm guessing this is either a sprain or a broken ankle. But they'll have you fixed up in no time.”
So Dee was forced to rest; she had to keep weight off her foot. She was confined to home and her appointments had to be cancelled. Restless, she fretted over things that needed doing.
With time on her hands, she pulled out her Bible and read. She asked God, “What do you want to teach me Lord?”.
As she tentatively ventured outside the swing chair became a favorite spot. Sitting there she heard God telling her to stop striving and be still with him. Something new was beginning.
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I enjoy stories that encourage a second read to get all the facts!
Beautiful:)