Fall is quickly approaching. The shadows become longer and the nights are starting earlier. The lazy, carefree days of summer have turned into a slightly more scripted kind of living. The city seems to transform itself into a new creature each season. She smiles as young school children run to tell their waiting parents what they learned that day in school. Some of the kids turn her way and wave and others look away quickly.
A bitter wind begins biting at her cheeks as she perches on a bench overlooking the canal. She pulls out her notebook and begins soaking in Amsterdam in the fall. Another gust comes and ruffles her papers. She glances out towards the ocean and sees an ominous wall of dark clouds rapidly advancing.
The tall canal houses lining the waterways form a picture that looks like playhouses ready to host a tea party. Pointy roofs or flat and grand on top, each building is unique and mysterious. The sun is still shinning enough to cast their reflection on the canals below making a mirror image of this toy village. They are all made of red brick though some are beginning to show their age with various stages of fading, while others have been painted a dark red. It is only by color that you can tell they are all individual. The tall rectangle windows gracing the front of each building are like portals into another world, another story that needs to be told. One bye one, the windows are being shut to block out the onslaught of chilly gusts from the advancing storm and the lights being turned on to ward off the darkness.
Margaretha briefly closes her eyes and reopens them in order to take in the story playing out in front of her. The people dressed in long coats, were walking swiftly over the slippery, rugged brown and grey cobblestone streets trying to get to their destination before the deluge. The street lights were beginning to cast their glow on the city. Bikes were noisily complaining while being navigated through the rough terrain and cars swiftly traversing through the too busy streets. The canal boats were quickly motoring in to dock for the evening and the large ships were steaming towards the safety of the harbor. Everyone and everything was on a mission and moved together seamlessly through an orderly chaos. She feels like a small puzzle piece in a grand picture that only she is able to appreciate.
The rain approaches like a curtain covering a window. She slowly stands up and gathers her notebook and belongings. She begins winding her way through the rain sodden streets, dodging cars, bikes and people while humming a new song that she was sure to be an emotional piece. She is anxious to sit in front of her cello and create her new work and hopefully be able to share it with others soon.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monsters
“Three, two, one. Ready or not here I come!!!”
My older brother is the easiest person to find in this game. I have no idea why I play this with him. I usually find him in his room playing video games. How is that hiding?
“Time for bed!”
That is our babysitter. She always puts us to bed earlier than mom and dad do. She always has her friends over when we are supposed to be sleeping. I wonder if mom and dad know?
Her friends are the least of my worries right now. I have to make sure my room is safe for me to go to bed. I turn on every light I have in my bedroom and start searching. I have my light saber at the ready in case of an attack. I throw open my closet and jump into fighting stance. I use my saber to move things around searching everything in there. I shut the door and move a stack of books in front of the door. I will know if anything tries to come out of there.
I get on my tummy and start crawling around my room. I look under the dresser, under my night stands and a long inspection under my bed. That is usually where they hide. It looks like my room is clear so I can brush my teeth and jump into bed with Teddy, my protector.
My babysitter tucks me in. I have Teddy and my light saber by my side. I make sure all the sheets are tucked under my bed and that they cover my head except for one eye. I need to make sure I can see everything. If anything does come in my room, I am safe if my toes are covered by the sheet. Those silly monsters won’t think to look in my bed if my toes aren’t hanging out. She shuts my door but cracks it open after I yell to her that she shut it all the way. Babysitters are so dumb; you never shut my door all the way. What is she thinking?
I say my prayers and make one last look around the room. I think the coast is clear and I can finally go to bed.
My eyes fly open, what was that? I here a scratching noise from under my bed and it is getting louder and louder. I look around the room and I don’t see anything. I grab my saber and hold Teddy close and make sure my toes are covered. I breathe quietly so the monster can’t here me. Something is tugging on my blankets. That isn’t supposed to happen! Monsters don’t touch the bed. I see a movement to my right; a big hairy disgusting arm is making its way onto my bed. I can’t take it anymore!
“HELP! MONSTER!”
The babysitter runs in my room looking very angry with me. She turns on the lights and marches to where the monster is coming from and pulls my brother out from under my bed by his shirt. He is laughing so hard he is crying.
My brother is so stupid. When mom and dad got home, I told them all about what he did. I may have added some things to the story to make sure he got in lots of trouble. Daddy got mad at my brother and put him on restriction for two whole weeks! I was so happy. I don’t think he will ever scare me again, we will leave that to the real monsters.
My older brother is the easiest person to find in this game. I have no idea why I play this with him. I usually find him in his room playing video games. How is that hiding?
“Time for bed!”
That is our babysitter. She always puts us to bed earlier than mom and dad do. She always has her friends over when we are supposed to be sleeping. I wonder if mom and dad know?
Her friends are the least of my worries right now. I have to make sure my room is safe for me to go to bed. I turn on every light I have in my bedroom and start searching. I have my light saber at the ready in case of an attack. I throw open my closet and jump into fighting stance. I use my saber to move things around searching everything in there. I shut the door and move a stack of books in front of the door. I will know if anything tries to come out of there.
I get on my tummy and start crawling around my room. I look under the dresser, under my night stands and a long inspection under my bed. That is usually where they hide. It looks like my room is clear so I can brush my teeth and jump into bed with Teddy, my protector.
My babysitter tucks me in. I have Teddy and my light saber by my side. I make sure all the sheets are tucked under my bed and that they cover my head except for one eye. I need to make sure I can see everything. If anything does come in my room, I am safe if my toes are covered by the sheet. Those silly monsters won’t think to look in my bed if my toes aren’t hanging out. She shuts my door but cracks it open after I yell to her that she shut it all the way. Babysitters are so dumb; you never shut my door all the way. What is she thinking?
I say my prayers and make one last look around the room. I think the coast is clear and I can finally go to bed.
My eyes fly open, what was that? I here a scratching noise from under my bed and it is getting louder and louder. I look around the room and I don’t see anything. I grab my saber and hold Teddy close and make sure my toes are covered. I breathe quietly so the monster can’t here me. Something is tugging on my blankets. That isn’t supposed to happen! Monsters don’t touch the bed. I see a movement to my right; a big hairy disgusting arm is making its way onto my bed. I can’t take it anymore!
“HELP! MONSTER!”
The babysitter runs in my room looking very angry with me. She turns on the lights and marches to where the monster is coming from and pulls my brother out from under my bed by his shirt. He is laughing so hard he is crying.
My brother is so stupid. When mom and dad got home, I told them all about what he did. I may have added some things to the story to make sure he got in lots of trouble. Daddy got mad at my brother and put him on restriction for two whole weeks! I was so happy. I don’t think he will ever scare me again, we will leave that to the real monsters.
The Storm
The bright blue sky looked like it lasted forever until it was met by a darker hued sea. The white caps of the ever growing waves were an indication that a storm was brewing beyond the eternal meeting of the sky and sea. The ships were quickly moving into harbor so that they could moor in the safety of the docks. Every sailor knew that being out in a strong winter storm could mean the death of you. There would be no one to search for survivors until the storm blew its course and the fleet could get out to sea again.
The icy water lapped the side of the vessel and the crew was able to see the shore approaching in the very far distance. Normally they would put their sails down so they could cruise into the harbor but the storm was coming faster than anyone imagined. Sailors were running to and fro battening down the hatches and blowing out lanterns in case there were knocked over. The only thing that could be heard is the incessant clanging of metal and creaking of the wooden planks on the ship. The captain would bellow out orders from time to time but wanted the crew to keep their head down and finish their tasks.
He stood tall and proud at the helm of the ship, holding onto the wheel, praying that they would make it in before the storm reached them. His crew of 120 sailors depended on him to deliver them safely back to their waiting families. He could see the lights of the city in front of him, though still out of reach. He quickly glanced behind and the storm was approaching like a wild herd of horses on the plains of the New World. Fear gripped his heart but his mind was clear as day and he knew what he had to do.
Upon his orders, the crew gathered on the main deck and listened to the Captain. “Gentleman, it has been my pleasure to sail with you across the Atlantic and back. We have had smooth sailing but we pressed our luck. We are not making into the harbor before the storm is upon us. Please pray with me that we will survive the night. We must be brave and hold strong in our faith.”
Before he could finish, the storm hit the ship like a like a deafening explosion.
The icy water lapped the side of the vessel and the crew was able to see the shore approaching in the very far distance. Normally they would put their sails down so they could cruise into the harbor but the storm was coming faster than anyone imagined. Sailors were running to and fro battening down the hatches and blowing out lanterns in case there were knocked over. The only thing that could be heard is the incessant clanging of metal and creaking of the wooden planks on the ship. The captain would bellow out orders from time to time but wanted the crew to keep their head down and finish their tasks.
He stood tall and proud at the helm of the ship, holding onto the wheel, praying that they would make it in before the storm reached them. His crew of 120 sailors depended on him to deliver them safely back to their waiting families. He could see the lights of the city in front of him, though still out of reach. He quickly glanced behind and the storm was approaching like a wild herd of horses on the plains of the New World. Fear gripped his heart but his mind was clear as day and he knew what he had to do.
Upon his orders, the crew gathered on the main deck and listened to the Captain. “Gentleman, it has been my pleasure to sail with you across the Atlantic and back. We have had smooth sailing but we pressed our luck. We are not making into the harbor before the storm is upon us. Please pray with me that we will survive the night. We must be brave and hold strong in our faith.”
Before he could finish, the storm hit the ship like a like a deafening explosion.
Another round
(more pieces from my workshop)
“We could try another round of treatment, but the numbers were great the last three cycles. I think we need to step up the treatments for us to see success,” Dr. Lee said to Amy and Dave.
Disappointment, frustration, anger and hopelessness, a mix of emotions washes over the faces of the husband and wife. It has been three long years of trying, hoping, waiting and ultimately nothing to show for it. Were they ever going to be able to start a family? How could they afford another round of treatments? What about their hopes and dreams?
“Thank you Doctor for your help these last four months but I think I need to give my body a rest from the medications. We have talked this over before coming to see you and we are going to let nature take its course and see if that works again.” Amy held her husbands hand while saying this. She was confident in her words but her eyes betrayed her, there was a strong chance that they were not going to be able to conceive.
With heavy hearts, both were silent as while they made their way home taking in the surroundings. People driving here and there talking on their phones with not a care in world it seems. Teenagers pushing the speed limits while laughing at some joke and not paying as much attention as they should. The sky was grey with water filled clouds that were threatening to unleash a torrent at any moment. The concrete jungle filled with workers going about their mundane routines. Everything seemed to rush by and no one understood the crushing defeat they feel.
Once they were home, they held each other for a long time. This was a hard pill to swallow for both of them. Dreams of raising a family faded like the sun at the end of a winter day, quickly, while leaving the world around them bitter cold. It felt as if there was a ton of bricks weighing on their chest and a sharp object trying to pierce their hearts. This acute pain was present for many months.
Trying to be brave, the couple put on a smile and went on with life and endured the fact that everyone took this natural course of life for granted. No one could understand the pain of not being able to have your own family. All the hopes of taking the kids to their grandparents’ for holidays or celebrating their first birthday or their first baseball game was so real for so long but still play in their minds.
While lying in bed one warm summer night, a thought came to her. Amy cautiously approached her husband with a solution.
“Maybe we can still have a family. What about all the children who do not have parents? They have no home to go to or parents to tuck them in at night. We know that we are a strong family already and there are children out there who need our help.”
Dave took a minute to digest this information. Shock, hope and determination played across his face. How could he have been so selfish to not think about the orphans? Who cares if the baby doesn’t have their eyes, the child would be theirs to raise.
That night, they prayed to God as hard as they could that this could be the answer to their plight.
“We could try another round of treatment, but the numbers were great the last three cycles. I think we need to step up the treatments for us to see success,” Dr. Lee said to Amy and Dave.
Disappointment, frustration, anger and hopelessness, a mix of emotions washes over the faces of the husband and wife. It has been three long years of trying, hoping, waiting and ultimately nothing to show for it. Were they ever going to be able to start a family? How could they afford another round of treatments? What about their hopes and dreams?
“Thank you Doctor for your help these last four months but I think I need to give my body a rest from the medications. We have talked this over before coming to see you and we are going to let nature take its course and see if that works again.” Amy held her husbands hand while saying this. She was confident in her words but her eyes betrayed her, there was a strong chance that they were not going to be able to conceive.
With heavy hearts, both were silent as while they made their way home taking in the surroundings. People driving here and there talking on their phones with not a care in world it seems. Teenagers pushing the speed limits while laughing at some joke and not paying as much attention as they should. The sky was grey with water filled clouds that were threatening to unleash a torrent at any moment. The concrete jungle filled with workers going about their mundane routines. Everything seemed to rush by and no one understood the crushing defeat they feel.
Once they were home, they held each other for a long time. This was a hard pill to swallow for both of them. Dreams of raising a family faded like the sun at the end of a winter day, quickly, while leaving the world around them bitter cold. It felt as if there was a ton of bricks weighing on their chest and a sharp object trying to pierce their hearts. This acute pain was present for many months.
Trying to be brave, the couple put on a smile and went on with life and endured the fact that everyone took this natural course of life for granted. No one could understand the pain of not being able to have your own family. All the hopes of taking the kids to their grandparents’ for holidays or celebrating their first birthday or their first baseball game was so real for so long but still play in their minds.
While lying in bed one warm summer night, a thought came to her. Amy cautiously approached her husband with a solution.
“Maybe we can still have a family. What about all the children who do not have parents? They have no home to go to or parents to tuck them in at night. We know that we are a strong family already and there are children out there who need our help.”
Dave took a minute to digest this information. Shock, hope and determination played across his face. How could he have been so selfish to not think about the orphans? Who cares if the baby doesn’t have their eyes, the child would be theirs to raise.
That night, they prayed to God as hard as they could that this could be the answer to their plight.
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