A Lovely Memory

Tuesday night I asked the ladies to close their eyes and think about a good memory from their childhood.  To think about smells, tastes, sounds as well as sights and to then write a short piece based on the memory.  Following are two of the pieces that came out of that exercise:

"Turning 13"
What it was like to turn 13. I had my Mom and best friend to myself.  No stinking brothers.  No drunk Dad.  Just my Mom and my best friend and SIX FLAGS.  The daring roller coasters.  The dare from my friend to not puke or pass out on the "Dungeon Drop".  Just my Mom and my best friend.  Just the smell of summertime and chlorine from the water rides.  The Texas Twister with the loops and jerks.  Just my Mom and my best friend.  Oh how I wish to be 13 again.  To not have my world turned upside down Crazy!
KW

"Itallian Memory"
Stickiness on my fingers as I hold a dripping cup of Gelato in my hand.  With one hand I search for a napkin in the left pocket of my blue jeans. With my other hand I hold the dripping cup and attempt to lick off some chocolatey goodness.  I am in the middle of the crowd at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.  I am 12 years old and came here on a trip with my parents and the rest of our tour group of military families.  The Gelato feels good on my sore throat and I tuck my jacket and purse around me a little more tightly.  Gypsies wander the streets looking to sell some trinkets or pick some pockets.  Our next stop is the Colleseum and I am so excited I start rambling about how Rome was founded and the first emperors; tripping over my words in my excitement.  Some of my fellow tour members laugh.  I look around in wonder knowing I will never forget this.
K

And from the same class on Tuesday evening, some writing on their own from their homework:

"Mask"
I see right through you
How cruel you can be
Your mask is wreathed in good natured smiles,
Jokes and service to others
Yet it does not take long to see your flip side.
A few well placed remarks designed to cut someone
down a peg or two.
You hurt, so you hurt others
So sad because if you wanted to do and be better you could
But you don't.
K

"Why Worry"
I have found there is always a reason or occasion to worry.  If I put my time and attention on that one thing that I need to fall into place or not to happen at all then surely I can control what's going to happen with the sheer volume of thoughts I have about it, right?  Wrong!  If I put my time and attention on one thing then I lose focus on all the balls that are in the air that emcompass my world.  As a woman of faith I know that I am supposed to put my worries and my struggles into the lap of the Higher Power.  That's something I struggle with and I don't know why.  I know there is a plan for my life, and a purpose for it far more and far bigger than what I can comprehend right now.  I get that but the little pieces, such as a job; I struggle with knowing the whens, hows and whats.  So I give my worries, fears and anxieties to You, God.  I ask for peace, clarity and to feel Your love everyday.  Amen
K