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Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Three Word Wednesday #3

(Ms. Sizzle wrote an amazing post yesterday. I'm not often moved to tears when I'm reading, but... Read it if you have a minute.)

Each week, I will post three (or more) random words. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write something using all of those words. It can be a few lines, a story, a poem, anything. Don't spend too much time on it. It doesn't have to be perfect. The idea is to let your mind wander and write what it will. I'll also write something using the same three words.

Be sure to leave a comment if you participate.

This week's words are:
initiate
holiday
snow


I picture a December 23rd. There's a fireplace. A slowly dying fire crackling. And a big picture window. With snow falling from heaven. And a girl. Lying on the sofa. Sleeping.

We've been out shopping all day. Getting last minute gifts. Then had dinner with friends. Friends we won't see again until after the holidays. When we get home, we decide to watch Miracle On 34th Street, my most favorite of all Christmas movies. She is asleep before the parade is done. Poor thing. She must be exhausted.

The movie is over and I get up to turn off the television, careful not to disturb her. I decide not to wake her. Just let her sleep. One last night of peaceful rest before I initiate her into the production that is my family's holiday routine tomorrow.

I put out the fire and take one long last look outside. Living in the South, it's only the second white Christmas I ever recall. The snow is so peaceful. Cleansing. Silencing God's creation.

I get a throw from the chair and steal a pillow from behind her on the sofa. Then I sit down on the floor. My back against the sofa. And put the pillow behind me. I'll sleep here tonight. Wanting to be there whenever she wakes up. Not wanting to be away from her even for a moment.

I turn and watch her for awhile. And wonder what she's dreaming. And wonder how I got so lucky. Then I turn back toward the window. And pull the cover tighter around me. Wanting to stay awake as long as I can to watch the snow. I remember thinking just before I doze off that miracles do still occur.

"Thru the window I can see snow begin to fall. Knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all..."

16 comments:

  1. That may be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen written.
    Is it a dream you had? Or a hope for the future?

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  2. Beautiful post, but not really realistic. It doesn't snow in the south. *L*

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  3. I often wish I lived in the worlds you write about. ;)

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  4. Beautiful story Bone. Makes me long for the Holidays :)

    Thanks for recommending Ms. Sizzle's Blog....she had a really great post.

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  5. Amazed: A hope. And a conscious dream.

    Groovie: I like how you find the snow the unrealistic part of this. And not that I have a girl on Christmas. Or that December 23rd is indeed Festivus and we'd have been celebrating that in reality.

    Actually, we used to get a decent snow (2-6 inches) here about every 3 or 4 years. But not so much anymore. However, we're usually just below the snow line. My friends just south of Nashville usually get a small snow every year or two.

    Carmen: In this case, so do I.

    RedNeckGirl: Thanks. Kinda made me long for the holidays, too.

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  6. I wrote my piece before seeing yours but I see our descriptions are similar. There's something even about the fall that brings that hope that the snow will cleans all, and it will happen soon.

    I fall asleep during Miracle on 34th Street too. I think it's just a comforting, peaceful movie, you can't help but relax every tension, every muscle, and just be still.

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  7. This story is my favorite so far.

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  8. Great post, I'm really enjoying your blog!

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  9. you are a great writer.

    thanks for the shout out. i am humbled. :)bc

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  10. Aww... Bone. I love this post. It's simple and sweet. Makes me want to be the girl, asleep on the couch, with someone who loves me close by. Words of perfection.

    I participated.

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  11. Please oh please oh please oh please tell me you have a gay brother who shares your smile and your perfect thoughts. Please. xo

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  12. Dorothy: Well, mine is just something I hope will happen some future day.

    Lindsy: Thanks. I was wondering if you were still alive.

    Leroy: Thanks. And thanks for stopping by.

    Ms Sizzle: Thank you. Was hoping you wouldn't mind the mention.

    Blondie: Thanks, Blondie. And thanks for participating each week. Off to read yours now.

    Bob: No. No brother. Sorry to disappoint.

    Xinh: Thanks. I'll check it out.

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  13. You're a f*cking fantastic writer, pal.

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  14. The imagery is wonderful. But who is the girl? Would love to know more about her.

    Would love to know how you did get so lucky. A back story of sorts to the exercise

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  15. I miss not feeling "Christmassy" since we rarely have temps below 60 on Christmas Day. We've had a couple of White Christmases but not nearly enough. I could feel the warmth in your writing.

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  16. Heather B: Thanks... pal :)

    Genie: The girl is my future, hopefully :) It's my dream of some future day.

    Lass: Thanks, Lass. It's the same here. A couple of years we could have almost worn short sleeves on Christmas.

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