Happy Monday, ladybugs,
Joining my friend Laura at The Horton Family for the first installment of her new series 3 Things. Laura explains the series as an opportunity to spark the creative juices of anyone struggling in the area of writing. She said that back in December, she found myself “wanting” to write, but simply didn’t have any content or ideas to write about. Enter the 3 Things series. Laura thought having 3 questions each month would at least give her something to think and write about. Like Grammy Dee’s short story prompt I joined in for last week, it’s providing a chance to write.
3 Things
So, here are the 3 questions to inspire some creative writing for February.
My Responses
Loving Others
- Describe one way you’ve recently shown love to others. On the day I left my mom’s to return home, I was passing through the common living area of her apartment complex where a number of the residents were participating in exercise. I stopped to give some of my mom’s closest friends hugs goodbye, but then looked around the room and realized I loved all of these elderly people. Each of them had shown my mom love and shared the burden of her health issues with us. I wound up giving each one of them – probably 25 seniors – a hug and kiss and kind word goodbye. The last person I said goodbye to was Harold, a true gentleman and World War II veteran who had, over the years, become like a great uncle or grandpa to me. He sat with my mom (and me when I visit) every morning at breakfast and every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday for Bingo. My brother called me on Wednesday to tell me Harold had died. We were all heartbroken and somewhat selfishly worried how his death would affect my mom. My sister, brother and I all left tribute messages about Harold on our Facebook pages. And today, after reading his obituary and learning his name, I contacted Harold’s son on Facebook to extend my condolences. We have lost another dear member of The Greatest Generation.
Inspirational Song
- What verse, song or quote inspires you in your current situation? I have heard Stevie Nick’s song Landslide several times recently, and paused to reflect on the lyrics. I think they fit this period in my life pretty perfectly.
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Mmm
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
I’m gettin’ older, too
Oh, climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
Oh, the landslide will bring it down
Most Admirable Quality
- The quality I admire most in others is: hard work (first thing that comes to mind) followed by passion and compassion. Being a librarian allowed me opportunities to combine all 3 into my professional life. I was blessed. I think most everyone who knows me well would say I respect someone who works hard and does their best. And I try to be that person. I also think you have to have a passion for something in your life…your career, your family. Even life, in general. And compassion. That whole walk a mile in my heels thing.
It seems to me that many of us bloggers are wanna-be authors. Book authors. And blogging is a great way to start writing and hone our skills. I have also noticed that a number of the bloggers I follow and am friendly with, are introverted, shy homebodies who don’t mind being alone. Actually, at times, prefer to be alone. Could there be a connection between wanting to write and being quiet and introspective?
Your Turn
Do you like to write? If so, what platform do you use for writing? You might keep Grammy Dee’s and Laura’s series in mind, even if you don’t blog. They both provide prompts to encourage creative writing. One of my February goals is to write every Monday. And here I am!
Hope this first day of week is gentle to you. I am so glad to have Mondays off from work. Allows me time to get the house squared away, laundry caught up and ironing done before I jump into the work week. Oh, and then there’s the blog writing, too!
Family hugs,
Kellyann Rohr
Oh, these answers touched my heart Leslie! My mother in law is in a memory care unit and my husband visits weekly on his way home from work. It’s amazing how we’ve come to know and care for all the residents. When one passes we feel it even though my MIL’s memory is gone and she isn’t aware, we sure are. On her birthday I always make treats for everyone and I send things in on holidays – just like I did for my kids when they were little. It’s been a shift in roles for sure as our parents age. Landslide is a great song as well!
I think you did Laura proud my friend!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are such a special lady, Kellyann. Thank you for the sweet words you always leave here for me. Thank you for being the great daughter-in-law I know you must be. I have to hope and believe that maybe somewhere deep inside your mother-in-law’s little mind, she remembers. She can certainly still feel love! And so can all of those other sweet residents you make treats for. What a precious heart you have.
Debs
I bet Harold’s family have been touched to realise how popular he was, and not just with his own generation, but you ‘youngsters’ too.
It was interesting to read the answers that you came up with to the questions that Laura asked.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Debs, I am so glad that we have connected with Harold’s family. I know we will all want to go to the cemetery when we are back in Lexington again to say hello to our dear friend.
Dara
You have totally described me in your paragraph about the shy, wanna-be writer! I’m so sorry about Harold. It is so nice that you wrote a tribute on Facebook and got in touch with his son as well.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha, you and I are both shy, wanna-be writers. And I think about every other blogger as well. So glad to have made your acquaintance through blogging and 52Frames.
Daenel T.
My thoughts go out to Mr. Harold’s family.
Your answers to these questions – tears. Now I’m feeling all sentimental…
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Awww, I don’t think I realized when I wrote these answers to Laura’s three question that they were sentimental. I just seem to stay in that mood lately. Guess caring for mom is making me more that way than ever. Always was kind of a ‘sap’ – do folks use that word any more? I get pretty emotional when it comes to family and animals. I bet you are that way, a little bit, too.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
SO sorry to hear about Harold. Sometimes death can be so quick and unexpected at that age. It sounds like he was a kind soul. How sweet of you to give all of those residents a hug and a kiss before you left. I am sure they appreciated it. I agree that having a passion in life is important, without that then life is really just ho hum (I think).
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
ShootingStarsMag
I’m so sorry to hear about Herald, but I’m glad you got to say goodbye in a way. I love the song “Landslide” – nice choice. And I do like to write. I need to work on my WIP more though.
-Lauren
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ah oh, what’s a WIP? Oh, work in progress? I have several works in progress…not much work or progress being made over here. Thanks for coming by, Lauren. XO
Laura
Thank you so much, Leslie, for the shout out and for joining me today for 3 Things! I love your answers, and yes (giggling), I’m probably one of those introverts that you’re referring to! What a sweet story of extending love and kindness to your mother’s friends at her apartment complex! I know it made them feel loved and so special. Love me some STevie Nicks! Some friends of mine saw her this weekend in New Orleans and said that she puts on an awesome show! I admire hard working peeps, too. My mother instilled a hard work ethic in me and I find myself trying to do the same with my own daughter. Happy Monday! I hope you’re having a great evening!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, baby girl, I loved participating in your 3 Things post. I am looking forward to next month so much.
I am sure you have raised Alise to be hard-working and to put her all into everything she does. Look how that darling goes after it on the basketball court. She has some serious drive and ambition, I just know.
I bet the Stevie Nicks concert was spectacular. I could probably, awkwardly, sing along with every song…just a little off-key. The Eagles came here about 15 years ago and PC was out of town so we weren’t able to go. How I wish we could have made that happen. That would have been a fabulous concert, outdoors, in the mountain venue of the Sun Bowl stadium. At least we still have our Hotel California LP!!