Saturday, September 25, 2010

Blessings by Grace


Don't you just love Saturday Centus, that best-of-all-memes in which Jenny Matlock (or one of her cohorts) gives us a prompt so we can add 100 words of our own and come up with one little gem of a story? I sure do!

Below is this week's effort, courtesy of yours truly and in honor of Tom Goette's birthday. (Have a GREAT one, Tom!) The prompt is in red.

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Blessings by Grace

He never dreamed, when he blew out the candles on his cake, that the hands of a pregnant woman had lit them. She, on the other hand, was reliving her early morning test, same as countless others yet breathtakingly different. An old movie would have said the rabbit died, but all Grace could think of was that something, someone inside her lived at last.

All day long her mind danced through scene after scene of bestowing her gift beyond measure: he swooped her up and ran to the still-empty nursery, screamed like a lottery-winner coming up roses.

Reality was sweeter. He rocked her to sleep in his arms, blessed her womb with his tears.

29 comments:

Deborah said...

Beautiful story, so much feeling in so few words ... just lovely.

Cheryl said...

Absolutely stunning take on this prompt.

Unknown said...

Dear Sue,

Thank you for leaving your kind words on my post. We have chosen different epochs in the life of a family!

Your text is exquisitely written. So much feeling packed into just a few words.
And so true to life. So well-described.
Not everyone is blessed with their children exactly when they wish to have them.

What an excellent word-smith you are, Sue!

Best wishes,
Anna

For the benefit of other readers:
Anna's SC week 21

karen said...

Oh, that brought tears to my eyes... in just a short paragraph or two! *kudos* That was one of your best ones in the very best way.

Unknown said...

How lovely! such a touching piece. Well done!

Jackie said...

awww how lucky is Tom! He's going to have a baby . Happy birthday Tom !

Caroline said...

Dear Sue,
I loved this. I am amazed how you can paint such a vivid scene with just a few sentences.
Lovingly,
Caroline

p.s. I would be the first in line to buy a copy of Short Stories by Sue, if you ever write something like this. :)

Susannah said...

Ah, that is beautiful and so very well done. :-)


mine is here - http://panopticulated.blogspot.com/2010/09/birthday-saturday-centus-week-21.html

Anonymous said...

What a happy, sweet story. I could feel excitement and happiness as I read the words. Hugs

Kat said...

This is just lovely. You were able to communicate so much feeling in so few words. Especially the joy - beautifully written Sue! Kat

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Such a sweet story - they'll have many more joyous birthdays to celebrate as a family.

Maybe I should try to write something touching one week, instead of relying on creepy...lol

Ames said...

I'm teary eyed. ~Ames

Jenny said...

Beautiful. Really, really beautiful.

I went the totally shallow approach, but this is absolutely perfectly crafted and lovely Sue.

Totally impressive writing here.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

This is so precious. You worked magic with the prompt.
Cheers,
xoRobyn

alpinekleins said...

So cute - really! You constantly amaze me :)

Kristin

Darlene said...

I was certainly touched by this one, Sue. It actually brought tears to my eyes, and with so few words too. You are something else.

Viki said...

This was so beautiful. I could just feel the joy in both their hearts. Good job.

Donna said...

Just LOVED your story!! Have never read a Jenny Matlock Saturday Census before but have added her to my blog list because I found it so amusing and fascinatin! Great idea...good work by you! Hope you are the winner...you should be!!!

Momza said...

oh that was sweet. You are so good at what you do. When I grow up, I wanna be like you. hey that rhymed.
lol
hugs!

Tgoette said...

Sue you wrote a really amazing, sensitive piece this week and I am just awestruck at your talent. I loved every bit of it. Brilliant!

Grandma Honey said...

You sure take those few words to a level I wouldn't have even thought of!

Judie said...

Sue, your story is just wonderful! So sweet, and tender!

Joy For Your Journey said...

OH,that is so sweet. We have neighbors who just had twins by invitro after six years of trying. Your story reminded me of them.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

So filled with joy and hope...dreams come true and those yet to be fulfilled. Really nice!!!

Tina said...

aww what a sweet story and a double celebration too it seems

Jenners said...

I just loved this. It was so touching and lovely. Well done!

Amy said...

Such sweet simplicity. I don't want to besmirch it with my weak attempts of admiring your talent. Tears to the eyes is all I can now say.

cj Schlottman said...

Sue, First, thank you so much for all the thoughtful comments you have left for me.

This poignant piece is touching to the core. You continue to amaze me with your economy of words.

Thanks...........cj

Terra said...

Sue this was just beautiful. I saw them, I felt like I knew them. This was so nice.