Esther Chilton

This week’s writing prompt is:

SENSES

When I read a book, I like to be taken to the scene. A good way to do this is to use the different senses – sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Do you use this in your writing? Which do you find to be the most effective? You might like to write a passage or poem using some of the different senses.

You don’t have to share your work, but I always enjoy seeing what you come up with if the prompt gives you inspiration. Here is the work you shared on last week’s prompt FEELING PROUD. You all really deserved to feel proud:

Christine Mallaband-Brown:

I’m feeling proud that I went from a working class background to doing my degree in fine art as a young woman at a polytechnic, then after more studying I got a medical qualification. Finally after over 20 years in my work position I managed to complete a Master’s in illustration. I only just managed to get a student loan because I was getting too old.

Kim Smyth:

Sure, I’m proud of myself for figuring out that I was never going to grow up if I didn’t leave home, so right after graduation, I joined the Army. I wasn’t out long before I met and married my soulmate, and had our two children. We are a great team and I’m proud of the life we made together. I’m proud that I worked in an industry that serves to help people. The medical field covers a lot, and I worked in many different aspects of it.

I’m proud that I accepted God as my Lord and savior. There’s many things I’m NOT proud of, but with Him I’m hoping to be forgiven of those things.

The Bag Lady:

I’m always proud of my family, we love each other without judgment or repercussions-there might be an eye rolling by someone. I’m also proud of myself for keeping my sense of humor in a life subdued by a love hate relationship with my wheelchair, surviving two bouts of cancer twenty years apart, and living alone as a widow. Living alone has advantages but as most people would say, it would be nice to have a companion. But I’m pretty healthy, live in a nice apartment, have friends, and family living five minutes away. Who could ask for more than that?

Tessa:

I am proud of myself for raising three wonderful children despite the fact that I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and that was no easy feat. Raising children is hard enough when you have no issues of your own, but I had to take care of myself and raise children at the same time.       

There was no mental help back in the time I had my three children. I had to muddle through it on my own and I if I say so myself they all turned out to be wonderful adults.   

Susan:

I’m proud that I’ve raised my daughter to have a sense of self worth without expecting everyone else to make her feel good about herself.   

Hugh W. Roberts:

How To Ice A Cake And Change Your Life

I was so proud when I received the certificate for my professional grade in cake decorating. I’d recently been made redundant and needed a new skill.

Being the only man in the 18-week course had its advantages. By week three, Kate made it clear how much she liked me. But there was a problem. I had been married for 12 years and still deeply loved my wife. This inner conflict deeply troubled my feelings, and for a while, I was torn between my devotion to her and my growing attraction to Kate.

By week 13, not only had Kate changed my life, but the love I had for my wife had slowly dripped away, leaving behind an almost forgotten heavy burden of guilt and regret for the betrayal. However, I was proud that I could now bake and ice cakes, something I’d always dreamed about doing professionally.  

But a tiny part of me wasn’t proud of my situation regarding my affair. I couldn’t deny the sense of self-worth a much younger woman found me attractive and (in her words) loved me. Yet, a more significant part of me felt I was on top of the world.

Then, during the last week of the course, the week before Christmas, everything eventually came together. As I finished plastering the wall next to the fireplace, I questioned what I’d done over the past six months. Feel proud, I kept telling myself. Briefly, a dark cloud hung over me and only dispersed when there was a loud knock on the front door.

“Have you done it?” asked Kate as she pushed past me as I opened the door to her.

“I told you not to keep coming here; the neighbours will see.” I protested. “We need to give it more time.”

“To hell with the neighbours; I want proof that you love me,” replied Kate. “Show me what you learned at the cake decorating class.”

I thought she wanted to see the Christmas cake I’d iced, but she went to the living room and stood before the fireplace.

“Nice work!” Kate announced. “I’m proud of you for what you have done for me. Is she..?” she asked, pointing at the newly plastered wall.

Icing cakes not only helped me get a new job as a professional cake maker but also taught me how to plaster the remains of my wife’s body behind a brick wall of the fireplace.

Robbie’s Inspiration:

Working Student

I grew up in a home where neither of my parents finished high school. My father achieved the equivalent of an O levels and my mother left school even earlier. Gravitating towards reading at a young age, I received encouragement and support from my parents. They were proud of my reading abilities and scholastic achievements.

After school, I did a secretarial course at a local collage and got a job. I worked and saved for three years before starting a degree in accounting through a local correspondence university. Six years later, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) having passed my Board examinations and finished my articles.

This achievement changed my life. My husband was the Auditor in Charge on my first audit at the international auditing firm I joined after completing my degree with distinction. We were married a year after I received my admittance into the profession.

I was brought up a Catholic and the nuns taught us that pride comes before a fall. I have never really thought about being proud of my educational and career achievements, but I do believe my family are proud of me.

A difficult path

Long days and longer evenings

The working student

Balances academics

With career expectations

Therapy Bits:

There are a couple of things that I’ve done in life that I am proud of.

I am proud of the fact that I survived my abuse, I not only survived it but I am now thriving despite the fact that my abuser tried to kill me on numerous occasions, I had more than one abuser and they tried to break me, they tried to crush my spirit, but I would not let that happen. I survived, I have dissociative identity disorder, but that was in response to the severe abuse, and the trauma of it all.

I am proud of the fact that I went to college, I got a degree, and I studied childcare, social work, and mental health in the community. I enjoyed my college experience.

I am proud of the fact that I trained with 3 guide dogs, and I had fun doing it, I loved them all, my fur babies were all very special to me.

I am proud of the fact that I survived boarding school, I hated every second of it but I survived. 

Therapy Bits also posted about the previous week’s writing prompt which was DILEMMA:

In a world where choices dance and play,

I woke this morning, bright and gay,

But oh, the options had me frazzled,

With all my plans completely razzled!

Should I have pancakes or go for toast?

Might I regret whichever I chose the most?

With syrup or jam? The question weighed,

As indecision brewed a quandary parade!

Coffee or tea? A conundrum steeped,

As caffeine fiends around me leaped.

“We can’t have both!” my friend declared,

But alas, both options were thoroughly shared.

To walk or to run? The gym called my name,

But Netflix had offered a far more inviting game.

Would I emerge fit, or on a snack quest?

In the end, my couch claimed the gold medal, no jest!

Now I ponder dinner—Thai or Italian delight?

One promises spice, while the other feels right.

With a growl from my stomach, I fear I might burst,

But a survey of options has left me nonplussed!

Should I wear the blue hat or the bright yellow one?

Both look so fabulous, how can I choose just one?

It’s a fashion dilemma, a catastrophe near.

I’ll just toss on both—stunning! It’s clear!

So if life’s little dilemmas ever cause you dismay,

Remember, indecision’s just part of the play.

Embrace the absurdity, laugh at the strain,

For in the grand scheme, it’s all just a game!

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