Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Flowers (10/03/05)
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TITLE: Victor
By Paul Potenza
10/03/05 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
A lot of guys are pretty self absorbed.
They can tell you about the amount of gravel needed to fill a given driveway, or why the Yankees are the Evil Empire, or what a “manifold” is. As young men, they are schooled in the art of spitting.
They can spit approvingly, such as when they are looking under the hood of a ‘65 Chevelle Malibu, or disapprovingly, as in the case where they have recently learned that the Yankees have, once again, beaten the Heroic Red Sox, in a critical divisional game. The trouble comes in when they are asked to describe their innermost feelings about things like a sunrise over a little red barn. Or a majestic waterfall in a beautiful wilderness setting.
Faced with such a question, most guys will spit approvingly, (especially into the waterfall). Then by way of clarification, they will say something like “It’s Awright”, followed by a belch of admiration for the wonder that God has placed at their disposal.
A lot of guys don’t get it.
Now, before you accuse me of being one of those sentimental, “In Touch With His Feminine Side” guys, let me tell you that I am ALSO a pretty poor representative of the male species. (I learned the nuances of spitting when I was 11).
But I have a friend named Victor. Victor was different. Nobody hung with the guy for reasons that I have never fully understood. I couldn’t resist him. He is bright (Yes, he’s still around) and articulate and funny and sensitive. And he’s brilliant.
One spring day, we were taking a walk together, and we passed a bush, on which were several flowers. On that day, he showed me colors and reasons for life (both physical & spiritual) that I had never even begun to imagine. Here was a world, created by God, that I had somehow overlooked. I was changed that day.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. In many ways, I’m still a neanderthal. But now I find myself appreciating things like sunsets at the beach, and the heart piercing color of an evergreen tree against a blanket of sparkling white snow.
And I’m not so quick to dismiss someone who is different than me as being “weird”.
One other thing. Now I like getting flowers on special occasions.
Thank you Victor.
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You did a good job describing, and I especially liked the first few paragraphs. Good job!
Victor. The point where he changed your perspective on life would have been a great place to expand. If the moment was so important, show the reader what happened.
My own husband is an odd mix of clueless Neanderthall and sensitivity, maybe he once new a Victor... :)