Category Archives: 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Hurricane Sandy had caused huge damage. Homes were taken. Power was out for millions and, sadly, lives were lost. Throughout, I stood a symbol of strength.

I miss the daily visits. I know I must stand proud. It‘s what’s expected of me. I’ve always known I’ve been a symbol of hope.

They have promised people will soon again come to visit me. Despite the pounding in my head, I long to again hear the sound of feet climbing the stairs to my crown and the voices of those in awe as they look at the vista below.

I am Lady Liberty. I stand watch over freedom.

This is a Wikimedia Commons graphic.

A key, discarded on frost-covered grass. What secrets of the universe wait its turn? What doors to the past can be opened?

I lift the key, cold to touch. A glint of light reflected from dawning sun. Memories of a life, not mine, dance before my eyes. A child grows into a man. A wife and children follow. The children grown, someone loved is lost, loneliness of a man grown old.

A voice awakens my thoughts, “Thanks for finding my key.”

The man is him. He knows what I’ve seen. He smiles. We talk. The key unlocks a new friend.

This is the prompt photo from the #100WCGU blog.

A group of children sat gathered around a table, each with a spoon in hand. Piled on a plate in front of them was… well, food.

“What’s in it?” one asked. “I added chips.”

The bubbling gave away one ingredient, “I added some fizzy crystals.”

“Fudge.”

“Ice cream.”

“Mini marshmallows.”

The list of ingredients grew, enough to turn the stomach of any adult.

Chosen by chance, a boy dug his spoon in and lifted it to his mouth.

“What does it taste like?”

Despite the grimace, “Delicious.”

Before long, all was gone.

Later that night, voices were heard at homes, “Mum, I don’t feel well.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

I was sitting at the computer when little six walked into the room, “Oh my goodness! I nearly forgot.”

She ran out of the room before soon returning, “Oh my goodness! I nearly forgot.”

To my amusement, this little event repeated a few more times, “What did you forget?”

Her response, “Oh my goodness! I nearly forgot.”

I tried a different question, “What are you doing?”

With a cheeky grin, “I’m pretending to be Nanna. She says that a lot.”

It was true, Nanna was getting forgetful, “You cheeky monkey. Come here and give me a hug.”

She ran over, “Oh my goodness! I nearly forgot.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

There’s much more to me than meets the eyes. Beneath the surface lies a powerful will and mind. I see more clearly than others around me. I know more. I am me. The world is here to serve me.

It’s time to let the world hear my manifesto. My frustration with the world cannot be contained.

Hear me world!

“Waaaah!”

“What’s he crying about now?”

“Maybe he’s wet or hungry.”

They didn’t get my message. Life’s tough when you’re only three months old.

A bottle of warm milk was put to my mouth. It tasted good. My message can wait for another time.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Maina stood transfixed overlooking the Grand Canyon’s abyss.

Worried she was terrified, “Maina, are you okay?”

“Wamblee spoke to me,” her eyes looked a little glazed

“Who is Wamblee?”

“Wamblee is my spirit guide. I was the eagle. Look!”

She pointed up. An eagle was soaring but dropped down and landed on the railing. It looked at Maina for a short time before appearing to bow and flying off.

Our Native American guide explained Maina had had a spirit guide experience, “She will achieve greatness in her life.”

We had named her well. Maina was a Hindi name for bird.

This is the prompt photo from the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups site.

Our regular coastal breeze had failed. Strong winds from the north-west brought heat from Australia’s desert regions. Temperature in the shade rose to 44C. Away from the coast, temperatures rose higher and in Australia’s centre birds were seen to fall dead from the sky.

The extreme weather meant fires were ravaging many areas. The smell of smoke hung in the air giving ominous warning.

An emergency alert warned a fire was five kilometres distant. Checking wind direction, I knew my house was safe but friends were in its path.

A new day, winds and heat less, my friends were safe… at least for now.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

The notes from the piano drifted through the air, my mind lost in thought provoked. What strange a world when notes are limited yet by blending in original ways beauty can be made.

The notes from the piano played, a metaphor for life. We all have notes in our lives to play yet we combine them in original ways. For some, life is a symphony. For others, life seems tone deaf.

Reality returns as a note goes wrong, “No, sweetheart, that should have been a C#.”

“Okay, papa,” a smiling child replies as the music goes on.

“What symphony will her life play?” I wonder.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

“You said you’d do WHAT?”

I knew dad wouldn’t be happy but I wanted to be Samuel, the star, in the school play. As part of a witness program, he had to pretend to be a girl. Samuel, call him Sam or Samantha, learned a lesson of friendship.

When the scenes came, I entered in blond curls and wearing a pink dress. Laughs turned to silence as Sam’s story unfolded, my father’s frown turned to pride.

“It seems as long as you’re with your best friends you can do almost anything.”

Was that a tear in my dad’s eye as I said my last line?

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

As midnight struck, my world is frozen in a moment of time. No New Year fireworks, no cheering nor the cacophony of parties cuts the air.

I wander the darker sides of life. I mourn those lost to evil ways.

I see the empathic, the loving, the caring, and the possibilities in humanity.

The balance is done. Good outweighs evil but, in places, the balance is awry.

The world moves on, greeting another year. It can do better.

Conscience? Guiding angel? Mystical being? Call me what you will. I’ll be whispering in the hope some may listen, in the hope all will care.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.