Every weekend we'll do a McLinky where everyone can link up their best written posts. It can be something you've written recently on your blogs or a blast from the past (so to speak). Please be sure to read the pieces listed and make some new blog buddies. And for those of you who don't have blogs, read anyway. You never know what will inspire you!
Ericka, "Dear Ava" is a beautiful, raw, and honest piece. You capture the confusion of being expected to love someone you just met with every fiber of your being, before you've even had a chance to say, "Hi, how are you?" The analogy to the Coach bag is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things that happened to me prior to giving birth to the twins was that a good friend said to me, "Now, don't freak out if you look at the babies for the first time and don't fall instantly in love. Think of it like any other relationship. It takes time. Hey, you may fall in love right away, but chances are they'll be red and scrunched up and you'll be in pain and wondering what the hell you're doing."
Best gift ever.
Because she was right. And even though I'd been warned, I still found myself huddled in the bathroom of my hospital room, being violently ill and wondering what was wrong with me that I didn't care more that there were two children out there who needed me. And yes, I would have killed for some chicken nuggets.
You can give Ava that same gift if you give her this letter when she's about to deliver her first child.
Jessica Anne, "Baby Socks" is a great example of how brevity really can be the soul of wit. I love it. And I can totally see my own children doing this.
ReplyDeleteBTW, is this where we're supposed to post comments on these pieces, or are we supposed to go to the blogs themselves?
Lori, you are on the "Crazy Train," girl! I cannot believe you went to the Supermax. Your husband's comment about it not having a gift shop is priceless. As is the idea of the guard chasing you away for taking pics. (Am actually a bit shocked he didn't confiscate your camera).
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you had the boys with you for all this makes it all the better. I love their humor ("Prison is a bad place. Why would you want to visit?") as well as Lorraine's ("You can wait in the car if you want.").
I'm not the least bit surprised you had nightmares after. I certainly would have!
posting here is absolutely fine angie and thank you so much for your well written critique! i still have the raw lump in my throat from reading your piece. i cannot say this enough but you are an incredible writer and i always feel like a better person, a more complete person after reading your work. i left a comment on your blog. you have a gift. i mean a real gift.
ReplyDeleteyou said it angie! "brevity really can be the soul of wit." that's exactly what i was thinking when reading jessica ann's post but of course i couldn't quite put it as eloquently as you just did! more coffee!! :) and jessica ann the short nature of the post most certainly brought out the sweetness!
ReplyDeleteSometimes icing has a beautiful childhood home! I would have mourned the selling of my childhood house more if it looked like that! I was flooded with my own nostalgia while reading her post.
ReplyDeleteHah. Well, I did mourn the selling of it. I helped my folks move a few weeks ago and I had a bit of a freak out to see the whole place empty. Wasn't easy. Thanks for stopping by Sometimes Icing, Jess!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who have linked up and commented. I love reading new stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow, Ericka, thanks so much for the compliment. I'm really sorry for making you cry in public, but these pieces about my dad evoke some pretty deep stuff. This is my way of keeping it at a low simmer. Seriously, that's about the best compliment I've ever gotten on my work. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about this place, and about getting to know all of you and read your work.
Ashley (LA Birdie), what a great piece! You really flipped things around. When I read the prompt "mother and child" and then started reading your piece, I immediately wondered how old Jessica was. And I kept wondering. The dynamic between the two was so interesting, with Jessica acting more the mother than the child, until her big announcement, when her mother decides to come back from two years of hiatus to act the mother.
ReplyDeleteWhat was so great about that scene was what you didn't say, or what you waited to say. That the father had died. That it had been two years that the mother had been sitting on the couch. And I'm still wondering about Carl. Is he ok? Why did he have to prop himself up on one knee?
The best part of a piece of fiction is when it makes you want to read more, and I definitely wanted it to keep going and find out what happens.
Awesome posts! Lots of different styles. Love it.
ReplyDeleteJess S. from Mal-diction, oh, you've made me laugh! Even the title of your post made me laugh. Couldn't imagine where it was going. Who has 44 kids? Oh, yeah, a TA.
ReplyDeleteBefore you get your tubes tied, remember that they all start out like Ava and stay that way for a good long while before they morph into irresponsible, irreverent, intoxicated freshmen. And by the time they do, they'll be out of your house and placing all their troubles at the door of their very own grad student, right? (That's what I tell myself to be able to sleep at night).
Can totally picture someone shouting out "VAGINA" during a classroom debate on healthcare. What was the excuse for its legitimacy? Do tell!!!
Off to check out all the links :) The one I entered isn't lengthy or anything, but it's one of my favorites. The flow of the words maybe.
ReplyDeleteGreat link up!
Hey Ladies... What an amazing idea.... I am so glad i found this website... THanks for the initiative....
ReplyDeletethank you! we're glad all of your are here - i finally get a chance to catch up and read the rest of the posts today! :)
ReplyDeleteHey all, so I didn't realize that the comments were closed on my post. It is set to do it automatically after a certain amount of time. The things you learn...
ReplyDeleteHi! Stopping by from MBC. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
These posts are awesome! I'm reading all of them going, DUDE, THAT IS SO ME.
ReplyDeleteI am having such a wonderful time reading these amazing stories.
ReplyDelete