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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Spring (as in the season) (11/28/05)
Cranky Christmas shoppers grumble at the checkouts hording their goods, wondering in the back of their minds how they will pay their credit card bill once it arrives in the mail. “Christmas is all commercial. Spend…spend…spend.” They say as they spend their hard earned money.

Children, zealously and with joy, give the big yellow trucks and magnificently colored army men a trial play along with the huge red balls and small plastic blue, red and yellow snap together piece toys a trial play in the store…yet, wishing with all they have that Santa will bring them everything on their list. “I want it all!” Their little faces light up at the sight of all the stimulation around them, generating more energy for play. Knowing Santa is coming along with the extra sugary snacks keeps their energy at an even ten for the season.

Wives double check their lists to make sure presents are bought for teachers, secret Santa’s and drop-in guests. Double checking that menu’s are intact, arrangements at Grandmother’s are still set and presents haven’t been tampered with, she is usually free to set a date for a cookie exchange towards the middle of the month with ladies group at church. Keeping the family’s momentum moving is her primary job this season, regardless of what she does from eight to five. Maintaining a balance of peace and harmony, she has to set the mood and temperament for the household, like it or not. Relying on prayer and faith to manage her hectic schedule, she knows that she will manage.

Mounds of snow fall for the husbands at Christmastime. Fishing and baseball is over and the winter looks like a long one. They could usually do without the shopping and the spending and the extra family visiting. Keeping up with the schedule that the wife has committed them too can become a source of frustration from time to time. The kids can become unruly from the lack of sleep or the general excitement of things. Generally, the husband’s role at this time is a “Yes Dear” position, except with it comes to the snow, then, he knows, that is his job. Consensus is usually that the snow is the worst for the men folk. Even with the most sophisticated of contraptions, it’s still cold and wet and other than for kids, most people don’t like to be in that kind weather.

Everyone’s attitude changes when Spring comes. The world seems to come alive. The snow melts, the grass turns from brown to green. Trees bud and bloom and bring fresh air. Days are longer and the sun is warmer. People shed their heavy winter clothes for lighter, brighter colored clothes. Plans begin to be made for vacations at the beach. Beautiful colored red, orange pink, and yellow tulips and yellow daffodils poke their heads first as if to say, “Good bye winter. Spring is here.”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Brandi Roberts
12/07/05
Perhaps instead of focussing on the feelings and attributes of Christmas, you could have left it to maybe a paragraph or so and went into thorough description about how spring makes people feel and act. Otherwise a good piece! Thanks for sharing!
Jan Ackerson
12/08/05
You write: Everyone’s attitude changes when Spring comes. The world seems to come alive..., but you've described winter as a very lively time already. I'm with Jezreel, more spring is needed here. You're obviously a good writer, re-visit this one and keep 'em coming!
Sandra Petersen
12/08/05
I would have liked to see a little more about spring also. I don't know how you would consolidate all of those thoughts about winter and Christmas into one or two paragraphs. Maybe this is two different articles packed into one? Good reflections on human attitudes!
Marilyn Schnepp 
12/08/05
Your title, "The Hectic Season", doesn't spell out Spring for me. It would have been a smash two weeks ago when the subject was "winter". Thank you for sharing your talent with us.