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

A warming breeze blew across the cresting waves. Sand caressed my feet. I strolled carefree along a tropical beach. Not a care in the world came to mind. I was at peace.

My world started shaking.

“It can’t be that time,” I thought.

I heard a sound, “Daddy, I’m hungry. Bubba needs a change.”

The tropical beach lost, I opened my eyes and was greeted by my five year old daughter’s face, “Morning, sweetheart.  Did you sleep well?”

She smiled, “I dreamt I was a princess.”

“Then daddy will get his princess her breakfast and change bubba.”

The tropical beach will be there next time.

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

Jenna’s words haunt me every day, “Daddy, I woke with another headache.”

I knew this was more than a simple case of measles. My once lively Jenna was listless, her temperature high.

Day after day I sat by her hospital bed, my gloved hand holding hers afraid if I let go she would slip away. It was only measles. I didn’t know it could result in encephalitis.

One morning, I stirred on my bedside seat.

“Daddy, I’m hungry.”

Such simple words, such incredible joy.

Jenna doesn’t walk as well as before but she knows I’ll be there when she needs me, her hand in mine.

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

“What a thoughtful birthday gift,” I smiled.

Cindy grinned, “You put the wishing stone in your left hand and make a wish.”

After she left, I decided I’d try, “I wish I had tonight’s Lotto numbers.”

My right hand grew heavy. Suddenly it was in my hand, tomorrow’s newspaper and the results.

“I wish I had this when I was a kid,” I said without thinking.

A dummy appeared in my right hand. The room grew large.

“Goo!”

My class re-entered the room, “Look at the cute baby!”

I realised I was a baby too young yet to speak, the stone too big for my hand.

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

“Sir, I had a dream. I was sitting on a high cliff. Something was pushing, urging me to jump.”

“Did you?”

Bevan hesitated, “Yes, but I woke safe in bed.”

“Falling is a common dream. Is something worrying you?”

“My dad has cancer. If I’d been better behaved…”

Bevan’s teacher was reassuring, “Events can happen over which we have no control. This isn’t your fault.”

With further counselling and an offer to talk whenever needed, Bevan left happier. The teacher’s own memories of childhood flooded back to a time when someone cared enough to tell him it wasn’t his fault.

This graphic was the photo prompt on the 100WCGU site.

With the birth of his son, Howard planted an apple seed. Season upon season, each evening as Nash grew, they’d sit to admire the tree and discuss their day.

All too soon, Nash sat alone reviewing what had passed each day. As the apple fell, so the many years passed.

Nash shared his moments with his children, the tree strong and full. In time, his children grown, Nash was again solitary.

With the passing of time, the once great tree grew old, its branches fading as the days faded for Nash. With the falling of the final leaf, Nash’s eyes closed one last time.

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

The monochrome room was filled with unsmiling faces. Each weekday morning, returning to the routine, they would arrive, take their seats and listen to the endless drone. At times pens would be raised and words or numbers written.

This was the way it had been until the great change came one morning.

Each arrived and sat, awaiting the drone but, today, one smiled and said, “Red.”

Another smiled, “Blue.”

Yet another, “Yellow.”

Soon smiles and colours filled the once monochrome room.

It hadn’t taken much.

The great change, their new teacher, smiled, “Good morning, class. What great things would YOU like to learn today?”

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

Mistiness, something out of the corner of the eye… there was a feeling in the air, a presence, a hint of sound.

In the ethereal world, the ghostly companion continued, “Lyle, being clear is essential to making yourself known.”

Lyle was worried, “We might scare them. I was scared of ghosts when I was with them.”

“If you’re clear, they’ll see you for who you were.”

Lyle tried again. His presence grew clear. His parents were startled at first but stood with tears in their eyes.

“Mumma, poppa, I’m okay. Nana is here with me. I love you both.”

His presence faded. His love remained.

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

Daaaarliiing!

I know it’s your birthday. How many? (I thought you were much older.) I think you need a new outlook on life and a new outfit to go with it.

This was me my last birthday. No one took notice of the years, they spent too much time staring at my new look so, if you’re worried about the years, throw on a wig of any bright colour you want, add some non-matching sunnies, add some gaudy bling and, if they still aren’t impressed, poke out your tongue and tell them they should look so good at your age.

This is the prompt photo from the 100WCGU site.

Legacy… most of us know the word. It’s a bequest, or gift or a consequence. For me, there’s a deeper meaning. Legacy was there when my family needed them.

Born from an idea of General Sir John Gellibrand after the end of WWI, he felt colleagues in business were not doing enough to help returned men. As the idea grew, it developed into what it is today. Legacy supports families of deceased or incapacitated servicemen.

For my brothers, 15 and 7, and myself, 12, the loss of our father was tragic yet Australia’s Legacy was there to help us.

http://www.legacy.com.au/

The Legacy Logo: I hope they don’t object to it’s use here.

I met a family with five daughters. Each day, mother arrived followed, in line, by the eldest to youngest daughter. I smiled as I thought of images from the “Madeline” books and the little girls who walked in straight lines

One day, the daughter in my class shared the news she was going to have a baby brother.

“I love children,” mother explained, “but I didn’t have a son.”

I smiled, “You have a beautiful family.”

She laughed, “My husband asked if I was happy now… but it would be nice if he had a little brother to play with. Would seven prove to be too much?”

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