100 Words on Time
Things have been hard with Poe for some time, but in some ways they are harder now that he is in recovery. He goes to meetings regularly which means I have to drop him off and then pick him up. I also have to take him to treatment, make tons of phone calls, and try to guide him without nagging him about getting a job, getting enough sleep, and taking care of his health. He is up, then he’s down, and his mood can change in seconds. So, I apologize for my long stretches of absence, but just know that we’re all in recovery mode over at the VV household. And the real truth is that I’m fecking exhausted. There are days that holding this little family together feels a lot like trying to plug holes in a dam that is about to burst at the seams. I’m tired of crisis management.
We need time.
Speaking of time…last I left all of you, the mission, had you chosen to accept it, was to write 100 words on time. From those who accepted the challenge, my mission is to choose one that particularly moves me. My pick of the week for time is LouCeel with this bittersweet exchange between generations. Oh, and for a real treat, be sure to visit the original post where you can hear LouCeel read this piece. That really adds a whole new layer to it.
Do you not like my gift, Grandfather?
Oh, I love your gift, my child.
But why do you not smile, Grandfather?
I am smiling, my child.
There are tears in your eyes, Grandfather.
I know, my child. I know.
So what is wrong with my gift, Grandfather?
There is nothing wrong with your gift, my child.
Should I have given you something else Grandfather?
There is nothing else you can give me, my child.
What gift would take the tears from your eyes, Grandfather?
No one can give me that, my child.
What is it, Grandfather?
Time, my child. Time.
I apologize for the weird formatting. I don’t know how to fix it right now, and I have so little time to pay attention to such things. So let’s just ignore that for now, shall we? I figured out the formatting problem. Moving on…let’s get to our other loyal 100 worders.
- Hank and June meet over at Patsy’s place.
- Losing Myself offers hope for change.
- Angel Sharum warns us not to squander our time here.
- They grow up fast over at I Rodius.
- A haunting story from Lessa.
- Night Blogger’s clever twist on love through the ages.
- The ever sleepless Ninja.
- Mary reminds us that there are those whose time is up before it should be.
This week’s word doesn’t come from a book. I have little time to read these days. This word is, unfortunately, a word that my family is struggling with as Poe fights to stay sober and deal with an unruly mind, as I struggle to be supportive and detached all at the same time, and Alba gets lost in the crossfire.
Anger
With love,
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Ah, a new challenge. Please know that these challenges are so worthwhile, so deserving of the time and effort expended in their construction, that we who participate do so not with anger and discord and the delays, but with conscience and understanding and a strong sense of sympathy for what you’re going through. And Poe. and Alba. Sail on sweet lady, through these dark and turbulent seas. Drop anchor when and where you can. We’ll be waiting.
Thanks Lou. I will sail on…
Sometimes I want to pick a name that sounds like me, you know how you scroll down the lists on myspace or facebook and there’s all these neat keystrokes that represent something but no one ever knows what they mean? It’s sort of like that. People think names mean something but they don’t when you count up all the experiences like yours, and they equal something braver than a screen name could ever make a person seem.
Just saying. If experience is beauty then you’re more gorgeous on the computer than anyone I’ve ever met in real life.
http://thenightblog.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/angry-100-words-on-people/
This post reminded me of how difficult the first year with my recovering alcoholic was - how so many times - my boys or I would say - ” we liked him better drunk.” How scary that was to me that I did not like who he was sober - it was tough, and I did not even drive him everywhere half of the time.
Hold on.
I will try and grab your next 100 word challenge - that looks like fun.
Night blogger, thanks for the wonderful comment. I do so enjoy your writing! Someday when you’re famous maybe you can mention VV…hehe.
Cat, I can say that I don’t prefer Poe when he’s drinking or using. It’s just that staying sober doesn’t cure the underlying conditions that made them use in the first place, and now we’re beginning that work…or rather, we’re picking that work back up. He’s manic, or angry, or sleeping, and there isn’t much in between. He starts neurofeedback today and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it works for him this time as it did last time.
Can’t wait to see you join the 100 word challenge. You can certainly pick this last one up as it isn’t closed yet.
Here is the 4th installment of my story. I’m not sure where it’s headed, but lets look at how Becky got to where she is now….
http://losingmyself2.blogspot.com/2008/12/word-for-this-weeks-100-word-challenge.html
VV=
I know that life is tough for you right now. But remember to ‘turn it over’ and let God help you through the really hard days. Our prayers are with you both.
http://mamabearwrites.blogspot.com/2008/12/100-words-anger.html
Took me to places with my dad, 20 months sober now.
[…] Velvet Verbosity 100 Words - Anger by JM Hello, hello and welcome to the Fiction Scribe take on the Velvet Verbosity prompt for this week: ANGER […]
I don’t know what to say, as the alcoholics who used to be in my life have never gotten treatment. I hope things get a lot better in a hurry.
http://www.fictionscribe.com/velvet-verbosity-100-words-anger/
I’m reading Cory Doctorow’s “Little Brother”. It’s put me in this kind of mindframe:
http://sleepdepninja.blogspot.com/2008/12/100-word-challenge-anger.html
I have something written. Words shouted in anger.
I hope things get better for your family. I’ve never walked the path you are walking now. Anything I might say sounds too much like a cliche so I won’t say anything except you are in my thoughts.
http://whileyoureup.blogspot.com/2008/12/100-word-challenge-anger.html
Last call! I’ll be putting up the compilation tomorrow.
My humble effort is here.
I love your blog. I will try in the future to take up your 100 word challenges. For the moment, however, I have something of a 1,000+ word challenge in the form of Term Finals.