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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: STRESSED - Begins January 18 / Ends January 25 (01/18/18)
"Bear! Bear!" Wailed Ellie, my 3-year-old, as we boarded the subway. My arms full, I looked helplessly down at her dearest possession, a stuffed teddy bear, being scuffed about on the subway floor. I unloaded Ellie and my packages in an empty seat and turned to retrieve her bear, but he was gone! Turning back, I saw a man wearing a tweed coat, bending down, offering bear to my daughter. She took one look at the stranger holding her bear and dove into the folds of my skirt, clawing her way up into my arms, pressing her cheek close to my heartbeat.

"Thank you," I nodded appreciatively and apologetically. The man tipped his fedora and sat down a couple of seats away from us. "Nice gentleman," I thought. But to Ellie, he was an unexpected stranger.

Ellie and bear snuggled on my chest. I rubbed her back and hummed softly. The subway car jolted and lurched with each stop, gradually loosening her grip. She slid down to my lap and sat quietly, twirling bear's button-eyes.

A few minutes later, she'd squirmed to her feet, keeping bear safely on my lap. "We're going to Grandma's house," she whispered in his ear. Bear danced with delight while Ellie stole little glances at her kindhearted stranger reading his newspaper. At the next stop, the man folded his paper and hopped off the subway train. Ellie waved goodbye to him, but he was unaware.

I smoothed my daughter's curls and lifted her chin. "I love you, darling," I told her, and kissed her cheek.

"I love you too, Mama," She said, and kissed me back.

"Little apple hasn't fallen far," I mused. How quickly I too, at the least little stress, run to my Heavenly Father's arms and press close to the beat of His heart. In His embrace, His strength becomes mine, and I know everything will be alright.

When I'm back on my feet, He reaches down and kisses me. "I love you, my dear one," He whispers, wiping my tearstained cheeks.

"I love you too, Abba," I say, and kiss Him back.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jenny Fulton 
01/27/18
This was a very endearing story, and I loved how you made a relevant lesson at the end. Well done.
C D Swanson 
01/28/18
Nicely done!
I liked your approach to the topic. Good message.

Blessings~
Susan Montaperto
01/29/18
Very sweet story. Loved how everything fitted together at end. Thank you.

God Bless.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/31/18
This is really sweet. It touched my heart. I only have three quick comments. Bear is being used as a name so it should be capped. Write out numerals (some say up to ten, others to a hundred): three-year-old daughter. Hyphenate two words combined to make a modifier: tear-stained, button eyes would not be hyphenated because they form a noun, not a modifier. Those are all little things though. Overall, you did a nice job of painting a picture for me. Your message is one that we all need to remember now and then. Great job.