For Ash Wednesday (2/17/10)

Ok, so this is an excerpt from a project that I was working on in my Fiction Writing class...I know it's from a while ago but considering the fact that I just decided today that I was going to write everyday I figured I'd use something old to get started...I'll actually write something useful tonight...I promise.

Kurt arrived just in time to help me dig my old blue bike out of the shed. After wading through mountainous boxes of my parents’ things and climbing over various pieces of lawn care equipment, I spotted it. It was still beautiful, if not a little tired looking. It was the bike that my parents had bought me before I went to college. The bike had carried me to the majority of my classes, and when I lived in the city, it had also carried me to and from work.

“Uhh, Liz?” Kurt said as he looked at the bike and then the maze of objects between the door and us. “How are we getting that thing out of here?”

I stared at him thinking, how am I supposed to know? You’re the ‘big strong man!’

So after a lot of huffing, puffing and knocking over boxes, that were surely filled with family heirlooms, judging by the sounds they made as they hit the ground, we managed to get my bike out of the shed.

“Next time,” Kurt managed between peals of laughter, “don’t put your bike at the back of the shed.”

The Butterfly at Saint Mary's Parish

This is for Karsyn, it was written last Spring. We were blessed because we knew her.

Flutter by, Butterfly

If you ask her, She will tell you, I am a butterfly. She floats Through the empty church pews. Lands on The oak prayer bench. Her wings Show the world her rainbow. Flutter by, Butterfly Touch the sky Do not fly unsuspecting Into the net Of malignancy. Like this child, spread your cheer Everywhere your small, dusty wings fly. Flutter. Flutter.

Note: for Karsyn Bell

Mikaia-Date Night

Mommy and Daddy went out on a date night. I wish Daddy would take me on a date night, that would be fun. Mommy always dresses up really pretty and puts on makeup when Daddy takes her on a date night. Oscar stayed home and was my baby-sitter. I like when Julie is my baby-sitter better. She plays "Princesses" with me. But since Mommy says I am sick, she likes that Oscar stays with me better. I was so mad. I keep telling her that I am not sick, but she says I don't understand. And I don't understand. I wish that someone would tell me why Mommy thinks I am sick. I don't feel sick. I never feel sick. But sometimes my head hurts, but not a lot. Just a little bit.

Oscar ordered us pizza for dinner. I like pepperoni. He ordered pepperoni and sausage. Yuck! But he was a nice big brother and picked the sausage off for me. He even let me eat on the couch while we watched a movie. I only dropped my pizza once, but Oscar didn't get mad. Maybe Oscar is an okay baby-sitter after all. We watched Ariel. She is my favorite. I think that Oscar's friend Jordan looks like Prince Eric. Maybe I could be Ariel and he could be Prince Eric? We could even live happily ever after with a big, hairy doggie named Max. But not at my house. Mommy doesn't like doggies.

After the movie I helped Oscar with the dishes. Then Mommy called to check on me, I got to talk to her. But I didn't tell her about the pizza on the couch because Oscar told me it was a secret. Oscar doesn't tell me many secrets so I have to make sure I don't tell anyone!

Oscar helped me with my bath and even played with my boats with me. It was fun until he splashed me. Then I was really mad and splashed back. That made him mad and he made me get out of the bath. My fingers weren't even like prunes yet. He is such a mean big brother.

And then he only read me one story. Mommy always reads me two, but he said that he had to call someone named Sophie. I don't know who that is. Oscar won't tell me either. I wish I knew who she was. Maybe she would play "Princesses" with me?

Oscar said prayers with me and gave me butterfly kisses. They are my favorite. But only Oscar can give them to me. Mommy's eyelashes are always scratchy and Daddy has glasses. I love Oscar, he says he loves me too. He is the best big brother ever.