Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Drip (04/25/13)
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TITLE: Family Glue Dispenser | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sheldon Bass
05/01/13 -
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The flowers looked nice, I suppose. I didn't actually notice them. I felt detached from the world, alone on an empty island.
I just couldn't believe he was gone. Numbness emanated from my heart, permeating my body, till I could only feel a cold lonely ache inside. Sheldon stood to speak: my brother. He read a poem, written for Dad's funeral. But the words sounded far away.
"Inheritance of Wisdom"
"Rising to the day
Which was beyond his passing
I sought to gather wisdom
That he had been amassing..."
The words of the new man of the house continued. But I wasn't grasping them. All I knew was, "Daddy's gone home."
"Why can't I feel anything?"
"Why am I not crying?"
"Such a good father..."
I stood looking into that box, which held what had been the only man I'd loved for so many years. The face that peaked over my crib. And the hands that dried my tears. The tenderness he showed, even in discipline. I couldn't bear the thought,
"Ill never see those soulful eyes again. Yet, someday I will." Mom reminded us several times.
"It's me Daddy, your 'Little Princess', your 'Little Miss Nosy Rosy."
"Why do I have to stay here?"
"Why God...why?"
Now my other two brothers are speaking. And I thought, "What's the use in saying anything? It won't change a thing."
Sheldon came to stand beside me. It was his touch—the hug, the love in his eyes. The dam burst. And tears dripped hot down my cheeks. Suddenly I could feel it all again. But I didn't want to. Heartbreak, anger, love, fear, confusion, a whole army of stabbing blows to my insides.
I pushed him back. He looked hurt.
"I'm sorry Shel, it's not your fault,"
"It's okay Sis, we're all in this together." He swept the room with an arm to indicate Mom and the rest of the family.
Now they all gathered around me: hugging, crying, "Am I the rallying point?"
I wondered.
Then something came to me that Dad had said once before.
"You are the one who keeps our family united and strong. You're the nosy glue that keeps us together."
I looked around me, and knew, "I am needed here".
Suddenly strength, and hope, and courage surged through my entire being. I knew that Daddy was there with us, approving.
From somewhere came the words, "Your family needs you now more than ever."
"Yes Daddy, I always do as you say. I love you so much."
The healing rivers of warm, salty tears helped to wash away the fear and loneliness. I had a job to do.
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*Author's note: This is a true account. "Brenda," is still the family glue. If there is a secret, she will get to the bottom of it. It's her love that makes her so darn nosy!
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My name is Brenda and I can relate to the "Brenda" in this entry.
Thanks you for sharing a wonderful piece of writing.