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| << September12, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Hope Beyond Hope |
September30, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - When It's Time >> |
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I hope the picture comes through Hi and happy Saturday to my wonderful family of readers. I'm very late getting a new story to you. Some of you have emailed and expressed concern. Thank you for thinking and worrying about me. I'm OK, just busy with work and life. I wrote today's story last weekend, but I wasn't happy with the ending. Every night I came home from work with the intension of finishing it, but I was too tired. This morning I got up and added, what I hope, is a decent ending. I'd love to know what you think. Also attached is a photo relating to the story. Don't you dare laugh at me!! I know I looked just a little scared. Compare it to the picture on Zinester. Yes, it is the same man. I Love your comments. Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com I have some wonderful vidoes for you today as well. I'll add the links after the story. A couple of them were forwarded to me by members of our reading family. I know you'll love them. Today is also the day I write for my 24-hour short story contest for Writersweekly.com. Those who know my writing are aware, my entry will be posted here. The contest makes me write outside my normal genre. It's a fun challenge for me. If you feel you have a hidden writing talent, go to writersweekly.com and look for the link to the "24-Hour Short Story Contest." It costs $5 American to enter. In my eyes, this is a very cheap way to spend 24 hours. Hopefully there will still be time for you to enter when you read this. If not, sign up for their next contest. They run it every three months. Although I've never won a top prize, I have managed to sell my enteries to another publication, which more than paid for my entry fees. If anyone is interested in greeting cards or crafts, Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed together to market their products. Check them out at: http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com Ginny's cards and other crafts are at: http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational sites at the end. There's something for everyone. Now for today's story. Word count: 732 It's a Dad's Job "Dad, do they have roller coasters?" Justin asked. We passed under the sign, "Welcome to King's Island!" "They sure do!" I forced a smile. It'd been over fifteen years since I road a coaster. The pounding of my heart equaled his - for different reasons. He was only eleven, so I took him on an easy coaster. I wanted his experience to be positive. We climbed into a middle car, barred ourselves in, and began the slow climb up the first, relatively-small hill. Our car crested the top and slipped over the edge. We both gripped the bar holding us in and screamed - him with delight and me with horror. We plunged to the bottom of the first drop and zipped over a series of small hills. I gripped the bar holding me in with a death grip, as my body floated off the seat with each drop. I held my breath and looked at Justin. His hands were in the air. A daredevil's grin split his face. We ripped around a 45-degree bank and braked to a halt. The ride was over. Justin hopped out - I crawled. "Yes!" Justin screamed and punched his left fist to the sky. "Dad, that was awesome!" He skipped down the steps from the coaster. "You liked it?" I grabbed the railing. My legs felt weak. "Oh, Man! What a rush! Dad, can we do more?" I saw my day spiral out of control. The boy was hooked. "There's another one, Dad! Can we ride it?" I looked at the sign. "The Beast - The World's Most Famous Wooden Rollercoaster." According to the sign, it was the longest wooden rollercoaster in the world - 7400 feet of track, two lift hills that spread out over thirty-five acres. It topped sixty-five miles per hour and ended with a 540 degree helix. "Justin?" I glanced at my son and then at the rails that towered over our heads. "Are you sure you're ready for that?" "Come on, Dad! It looks like fun!" He rushed to the gate. "Justin…" I began. "Dad, hurry up! The line is short." I took a deep breath, looked up at the track again, swallowed my fear, and trudged after him. "OK! OK! I'm coming!" "This is going to be a blast, Dad!" He grinned and pulled the restraining bar down over his shoulders. Our train began to move. I listened to the clack-clack-clack, as the motors and chains pulled our car to the top of the first hill. I looked around. The clouds seemed larger. The temperature dropped - in my veins. The wind grew stronger. The curvature of the earth came into view, just before we dropped from the mouth of "The Beast." My hands gripped the bars. A young girl screamed a pitch high enough to break glass - it was my scream. The cords of my neck drew taught. My eyes popped from their sockets. "Justin, we're going to die!" I yelled. His lips moved, but the wind took his reply away. We slammed to the bottom, ripped up the next hill, and rounded the first turn. The old wooden track was rough. The disks in my back rattled together as we ripped through turn-after-turn. Justin and I screamed - for different reasons. Ahead of us, the other passengers had their hands lifted in the air and yelled for joy. Behind us - my screams of panic were left unheard. We flew over the last hill, swerved through the last turn, and jerked to a halt. Justin jumped out of the car, "Come on, Dad! Let's try another one!" He ran to the exit, as I staggered after him. "Justin, are sure you haven't had enough?" "No way, Dad!" He punched his fist into the air again. "This is awesome!" "I've created a monster." I mumbled to myself. We spent the day going from coaster-to-coaster. By the time we reached our car for the ride home, my arms and shoulders ached from the extreme pressure I placed on the restraining bars that held me in. Justin squirmed in his seat, as adrenalin pumped through his body. "Dad, can we do this again sometime?" "Sure!" I replied and meant it. In spite of the fear I felt, I knew I would do it again for my son. It's a dad's job. Besides, it's a lot more fun than going to the doctor to get my heart checked. Michael T. Smith Check out these wonderful videos I loaded to my Youtube account: This is a wonderful tribute to 9/11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxJiiWo0JbE&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcirclesofcompassion%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F From Positive News weekly - a great presentation on the value of showing appreciation. http://www.whileyoucanmovie.com/?SRC=DMRPREC&ref=64 The Budweiser horses show their respects to 9/11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUDuNxLqo1U I received this from my inspiration friend in Australia. Thanks, Keith Keith's link is below. Even animals show their love to each other. This is so cute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7dVWVEDQCw This is James Brown and Luciano Pavarotti doing a duet together--I never could have imagined such a beautiful blend of 2 different sounds! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIyzNISw1Q If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. My only request is that you include the link for your friends to join our family. To join our family, go to: http://subs.zinester.com/86758/ As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all in her latest book. Carol Roach M.Ed, B.A. Publisher: Storytime Tapestry Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485 Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful stories about her life and losing her sight. Janet Perez Eckles Faith and Love with a Latin Flair www.janetperezeckles.com Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna Freelance Writer www.littleredmailbox.com www.griefcase.blogspot.com www.storybone.blogspot.com "...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life." By my good friend Keith in Australia: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/ My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/ Phil's awesome and brutally honest Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/ Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two wonderful story sites. http://hodu.com/ http://www.mydailyinsights.com/ www.ripplemaker.com http://www.sermonillustrator.org http://www.SkyWriting.Net Here's a newly discovered one I like: http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/ If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns, struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com Janet's prayer group will respond. That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with more, I'll add them. Enjoy!!! I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com. I'll include some in every post. Now for a few comments on my last story: I just wanted to thank you for your newsletter and the smiles it brings. You really are a blessing and I appreciate all that you do, and your willingness to share your stories with us. Thanks again! Also, you list inspirational websites, so I thought I would send you the address to mine www.mudpuddleind.com I am still working on it, but then I think I always will be. God Bless you, and thanks for smiles you bring and the joy you bestow! Frances Munson Concerning my story titled "Hope Beyond Hope." Mike - I was born on 9/11/1945. On the day we were attacked I woke up early and turned on CNN just in time to see the 2nd plane hit the tower. All day I thought of what I could do and I decided to light candles and put them in every yard in my block. I considered those candles beacons of hope. I lit them every night for three nights and then my neighbors took over and lit their own. One of my neighbors asked why I bothered - I didn't know any of the folks that died. I told him of course I knew them and so did he. We knew their names - each and every one of them. At his look of confusion, I told him their names were Americans and that was good enough for me. That's when he started lighting his own candle. When I moved from Texas one year later our block was still lighting candles every night. Lynn Such a sad, senseless day that was. I will NEVER understand the reasoning of the people (and I use that term loosely) who did that. We must always remember. Another thought, too. Canadians and U.S. Citizens are all part of North America. That makes us all Americans. Mexico too. The U.S. doesn't have a corner on that name, although we are the ones who use it all the time. We ARE the United States of America, but we are still part of the continent. Just like Europeans are from Europe. Like Australians are from Australia. I don’t know what we would call ourselves; U.S. Citizens I guess! But North America is a continent. Or South America! They would be Americans too! But somehow along the way, U.S. Citizens became the recognized "Americans". I wonder who made the division there. Well it's just something I have pondered from time to time. I’m sure most would think I’m way outta line in my thinking. Anyway, I hope whatever is going on in your life is resolved soon. I will send up a prayer with your and Ginny's names on it. Take care, and trust God. Diana To unsubscribe from this ezine, please go to: http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& If you wish to subscribe, go to: http://archives.zinester.com/86758 |
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| << September12, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Hope Beyond Hope |
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