We All Are…..

A week ago, my writing coach Carol messaged me a challenge. She was waiting to see what I’d come up with in reference to a sketch one of my fellow participants drew for her. Not only is he a writer, but this guy can draw and paint like there is no tomorrow…..he drew this for Carol after  only just meeting all of us, from memory!!! 

 

So with that Challenge planted firmly in my head, I turned in for the night, only to find I couldn’t get these two words out of my head, so I jotted them down….diversity and tapestry.

When I woke, I pondered these words, trying to put something together……all it took was a hot shower..by the time I got out of the shower it had written itself!!! 

 CHALLENGE MET!!! 👊

Seven of us came together,
As different as different can be.
Around that table sat
An abundance of diversity…..

With…..

A common goal we shared.
To tap into our creativity…

We came in as individuals.
With ideas in our heads.
Of what we hoped to accomplish
To help us move ahead…

Little did we know,
By the end of this retreat,
Our ideas of who and what we are
Would expand dramatically…

All our threads of differences
Began to entwine,
To form a Beautiful tapestry,
Of strength and hope Divine…
We came as individuals
We left there so much more….

For……

We all are writers, we all are artists
We all are coaches and we All are Believers……
©lindafedroff_august20,2018

 

St. Francis Prayer Center

It’s been a full week since I attended the #writepublishpromote writers incentive retreat. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the entire experience. I wanted to share the grounds the retreat was held at. St. Francis Springs Prayer Centerproved to be the ideal place for me to be. The peaceful serene setting truly is a healing place. The fact that Saint Francis was my favorite Patron Saint as a little girl was not lost to the adult ‘child’ I am now 😊

I was excited there was a labyrinth on the grounds. I’d always wanted to stroll one….Early morning Soul-Strolls walking the labyrinth is how I started each morning.

A small waterfall was also on the grounds……there was no denying the positive energy my entire being was absorbing….

Of course I was surrounded by the ‘Dear Old Ones’ 💚🌳

And here’s a small sampling of the art work that caught my eye. Yep, there is a certain rhythm to these 😊🌳

All-In-All this was not, at least for me, just a Writing Incentive Retreat. This truly was a Spiritual Awakening as well. I’m still having a hard time finding the words to describe it all. Writers Block?!?! How’s that for irony?!?!? Was on a writers retreat and I’m at a loss for words…but I know they will come!!!!!

Creative Hunger

This week in The Sandbox Writing Challenge    

Roberta Allen wants to know:

WHAT DO YOU HUNGER FOR?

And we’re not just talking about food here. What is there in your life that you feel you need to sustain you, or would help to sustain you — it may just be wishful thinking, but identifying that need is a crucial, pivotal point in our dreams and desires. Can’t wait to see what you come up with this week!

*****************************************************

Though this weeks Challenge was presented to us last week, I’m just now getting to it, and I do believe there was a reason I procrastinated, albeit unconsciously.

I went away for the weekend and attended my very first retreat.The facilitator of this particular retreat was a friend, the purpose, writing.

#writepublishpromote has been a dream of Carols. A dream she brought to life. When I decided to commit to this weekend, it was with a bit, ok, A Lot of trepidation at first. Am I really a writer?!? Am I good enough to even call myself that?!? Was I worth the investment?!?! I decided I was…..and I Am!!

Like a sponge ( or for the sake of this prompt, like a big ole piece of bread soaking up all the yummy gravy in the bottom of the bowl!) I soaked up Carol’s knowledge…..

I spent time with crazy talented, creative people. We shared and played off of each other’s creativity. We even had Santa Clause in the mix…….I’m hungry for more time with these amazing people. We met on Friday as strangers….we shared 6 meals together and hours of our words, and thoughts, and ideas. We came together as strangers and departed family. What a gift to be a part of this first writers group. Can’t wait for the reunion 😊

I’m hungry for more words to be written…….more photos to be taken…more pictures to be painted…..I’m finding my creative appetite to be insatiable. Guess I need to get my butt in gear and start feeding it huh?!?!?! 😄

Learning To Fly

I woke wayyyyy early this morning, knowing the date I was not going to fall back to sleep. Instead, words started filling my head so I started typing myself a note…that note to Jim turned into this. I remember and I celebrate ❤ I. Miss. You. Husband ❤

22 months ago you gained your wings.
I did too.
While yours took your spirit ‘Home’
I was left behind,
To
Teach myself and learn
How to fly..solo.
I was like a fledgling
At first,
I couldn’t quite get myself off the ground.
But I persisted.
And, guess what?!
I’m persevering!
I’m flying babe…..
I’m flying.
I’m doing things.
I’m going places.
I’m growing.
On my own.
On my own
Yet…
I know as surely as I’m breathing,
That your spirit and energy
Are helping to guide me……
Giving lift to these
Wings of mine,
I’m now riding the winds of change.
©lindafedroff_august14,2018

What My Smile Is Saying – Sandbox Writing Challenge – Exercise 28

Alrighty, after skipping a week and letting the sand settle a bit, it’s time to pick up the shovel and get back to digging over at The Sandbox Writing Challenge. This weeks prompt is………………

What could possibly make me feel this way?

Love this!!! Have you been flattered, gifted, surprised, overwhelmed, been made proud of someone, just seen something funny… Can’t wait to see what ya’ll come up with!
As always, remember to include the link to this post on YOUR blog post. Or if your response isn’t overly long, feel free to leave it in the comment section below. And please feel free to interpret the prompt however you wish: memoirs, poems, pictures, etc.

*****************************************************

Would you recognize
This woman I’m growing to be?
Cause the truth of the matter is
I’m not the same woman I used to be.
The day you unexpectedly left,
My world turned upside down.
On my own for the first time
I felt I just might drown……

Not only did I not drown
I’m growing inside you see.
A different Linda’s emerging each day
For all the world to see….

Gaining strength and confidence
Mixed with some independence too.
I like this new Linda I’m becoming
Considering all I’ve been through.

AND

Knowing you as I do
You’d embrace and be proud of this new me.
With continued words of encouragement
To live my life care-free…

You were always my biggest supporter
Cheerleader.
My Rock.
Knowing you’d not only approve
But dig this new Me
That’s no shock………….

I’m blessed knowing your ‘out there’
Your overwhelming love and energy I feel.
Wherever this journey takes me
My smile will reveal…..

A woman who was gifted
To be wife to an amazing man
Who’s Love lives on inside her heart
Until they meet again.
©lindafedroff_august13,2018

22 months you’ve been gone…I Will Always Love You Husband ❤