Something new...and a little bit scary

Life here has been hectic lately, besides homeschooling, my blog (which I have sorely neglected), my shop, creating, fall and holiday craft shows, and promoting The Craftstar, I just entered a writing contest....and boy am I nervous.

I have written poetry in high school (in another life time), and then most recently I started to write short stories (again), which you can find under the Yankee Burrow Storytime tab and on my writing blog Debbi's Shorts.  I have always enjoyed writing, and since I have gotten some nice comments on my short stories here, when I received the email to enter this contest, I decided to just close my eyes, plug my nose, and jump right in.

Wheeeee.....

First prize is having my story published...in a real book!  Wow.

Now to decide what to write, I'm thinking of expanding one of my short stories, but I don't know which one...what do you think?

Time For A New Life

The Power Of Love

Remembering

Should I do this? Should I not? Ugh....please let me know your thoughts, before I make a complete fool of myself!

Be blessed,

Debbi

Time for a New Life - chapter 5- One Year Later

A year has come and gone sine John and Sarah moved back to her grandmother's homestead.  A year full of challenges and difficulties.  But also a year of growth and change, for everyone in the family.

chapter 5 - One Year Later

handmade rocking chair

Here I sit in my gramma's rocker on the front porch of our home.  I'm holding a letter that I just received from Matthew James Smithe, Esq., the lawyer whose first letter changed our lives.  It's hard to believe that it's been a full year since then.  Our old life seems like it belonged to some other family, or perhaps a movie I once watched on television.  The big house, the designer clothes, the scramble to stay on top of the bills, the backstabbing from the others in the country club.  Today, there is just a small farmhouse, jeans and t-shirts, and a town full of people that are more then friends...they are family.
"Mom, we won!  We're the county champions!"  I hear my son yell as they pull up the driveway.  It took many months, but with the help of new friends in school, Jacob has settled into his new life.  His grades in school have gone up, and he's the captain of his baseball team.  Jacob jumps out of the back of the truck and come running up the porch, as the rest of the players also get out of the truck.  "Mom, it was great.  It was the top of the 9th inning, and we were ahead so Dad let little Tommy take a turn in the outfield.  The other team got the bases loaded, and with 2 strikes, their best batter stepped up.  He hit a hard drive right up the middle, right to Tommy."  With a laugh, Jacob continues his story, "with his eyes closed, Tommy just puts his arm up in the air and the ball dropped right into his glove.  And that was it, game over, and we're the champs!"  I hug my son and then he runs off to play with the rest of the boys.  John comes up on the porch and takes a chair.  "Sarah, what a day.  What a good day."  He bends down to kiss my head, and rubs my every growing belly where the newest Wright resides.  Then he stretches out his legs, and promptly falls asleep, with a smile on his face.

goat's milk soap

John has worked hard this past year, fixing up the house, planting a garden, and then opening his own shop in town.  It may not be what others would consider much, but John is once again very proud of himself.  And happy to have time to spend with his family.  The girls took to their new lives as if they had always lived on a farm.  The first thing they did was bring home a puppy that a friend gave them.  Then another puppy.  Then we got some goats for milk and chickens for eggs.  The girls help me make soap and cheese, to sell at our shop, and Jacob drives the tractor and helps with the garden.  In fact, the very first time, he ran that tractor right into the barn door, just like I did when I was his age.  I glance down at the letter I was writing to Mr. Smithe.  The response to his letter reminding us that the one year condition of my grandmothers will has expired and offering his assistance in selling our property.  I smile  as I fold up the letter and slide it into an envelope.  We have decided to stay here, home.  The future is bright and full of possibilities.

I hope this story reminds us all that our happiness does not come for the things in our lives or the amount in our bank account.  Our happiness comes from good friends and loving family.  And every little moment that makes up our lives...together.
Please click on the links under the pictures to visit some wonderful handmade shops where you can purchase these items, or so many other wonderful handmade items.
Be blessed,
Debbi

YBC Storytime - Time for a New Life - chapter 3

Last week we saw John and Sara finally come together again in their time of trouble instead of blaming and fighting.  Since then, they have finished packing up their most important belongings and sold everything else.  Furniture, vehicles, fine china, designer suits and shoes, electronics.  All that is left is some clothes, photo albums, and a few other items.  The money they received from the sale, while it couldn't pay their debt, it did give them some thing to live on, for now....

Chapter 3 - Where do we go from here?

"John, come quick!" I yelled for John as I came running into the house holding the mail.  Another pile of bills and letters from collection agencies, but one envelope held my attention.  The return address was a lawyers office, one I had never heard of before.  One from our old home town.  I had already read the letter on the walk into the house, and now I'm walking with a lighter step.  "What is it?  Is the house on fire?  We should be so lucky."  John jokes as he comes out of the bathroom.  He frowns when he sees the pile of bills, and starts to turn away until I hand him the letter.  He looks at it, then he starts to read it.  I see his face go from confused to surprised, and then a smile spreads across his face.  "Kids!  Kids, come in here, quick."  In runs Janie, followed by her big sister Anna, and then slowly, sullenly, in comes our oldest, Jacob.  "What is it Dad?  I was busy." Jacob growls.  Seems like that is all he does now, growl and sit in his room, alone.

John just tells everyone to have a seat, we have great news for everyone.  To my surprise, he hands me the letter and sits down with the kids.  "Well, Mom?  What is it?  Is that an important letter?  Do we get to keep the house?  Did we win the lottery?"  Janie is full of questions and starts to giggle.  "Don't be stupid, just shut up."  Janie's eyes fill with tears at Jacob's comment, but John just picks her up and holds her on his lap.  So I  read the letter...for the family.

"Dear Mrs. Wright,

barn photo

      First let me extend to you my condolences on the loss of your grandmother last year.  While you and I have never met, I visited your grandmother often while I was enrolled in the local university, and she was the most loving and amazing woman.  After I graduated, I left town to start my law firm.  Imagine my surprise when she contacted me two years ago and asked me to handle her estate.  I assumed that she would have used your family lawyer, but she wanted the matter of the family farm handled separately from the rest of her estate.  As per her request, I have sold off most of the farmland, but kept the homestead and the surrounding 3 acres, for you.  She used to regal me with stories of the summers you would spend with her when you were just a child, picking berries and making pies, feeding the chickens, and learning to drive a tractor from your grandfather.  She also shared with me the time you knocked down the barn door with that very same tractor.  She wanted you to have this property.  It has taken me all of this past year to clear up this part of her estate, but it is now ready for you.  The house and barn and property is debt free and repaired and ready for you.  The only requirement of this inheritance is that you live in this house for one year, after which you may sell it if you wish.  You can contact me at this number at any time.

Sincerely,

Matthew James Smithe, Esq."

barn yard quilt

"WHAT???  A FARM???  YOU WANT ME TO LIVE ON A FARM?  YOU MUST BE NUTS.  I WON'T GO!!!"  Jacob jumps up from his seat and screams at us as he runs from the room.  We can hear his bedroom door slam.  John and I just look at each other and I try not to cry.  Janie is quietly sobbing in her daddy's chest, then I feel a small hand in mine.  Anna, quiet little Anna takes my hand and looks up at me.  "Don't cry Mom, it's going to be ok.  Jacob didn't really mean that.  Once we move, he'll realize that God answered our prayers.  We now have a place to live.  We now have another home."

I kneel down and squeeze her tight.  "You're right Anna.  God has answered our prayers."  I look up and find John just looking at me, and then he smiles.  Janie smiles.  And then I can feel a smile sneak up on me.  And it feels good.

It seems that life is changing for the Wright family.  A farm?  How exciting.  And so are the handmade items I found to compliment my story.  You can click on the links below the pictures to visit the shops where you will find these items, and many others also.  And check in with us next week for moving day!

Be blessed,

Debbi

Time for a New Life - chapter 2

Welcome back to Yankee Burrow Storytime.  Last week we met John and Sarah when they received a letter from their bank.  It was the type of letter no-one wants to see, but too many families today have received, they are losing their home.  Join us as we watch this family make a new life.

(oh, and in case you didn't know, this is a fictional story.)

Chapter 2 - Packing up the memories

baby brag book

"Mommy, where are we going to live?"  My youngest child, my little girl, still my little baby, so full of fear and uncertainty, asks me this question while helping me to put our family pictures into boxes.  I don't know how to respond. I can't respond because I don't know where we will be at this time next month.  I get up from the floor where I am surrounded by boxes, sorting and packing up my broken hopes and dreams.  I grab my little girl up in my arms, move to my favorite spot, and plop down on the window seat and just hold her as she softly cries.  Janie is only 5, she should be playing and laughing, but instead my sensitive little girl is frightened so I just sit and hold her, because that's all I can do.

baseball pendant

I hear John come in the back door, followed by our son Jacob.  They are laughing and joking, talking about Jacob's baseball game.  How can they joke and laugh today?  I feel a rush of anger spring up in me, the heat rushing to my face as I try to push down the feelings.

"Sarah, where are you?  You should have been there, Jacob was amazing.  Yankees, here we come."  John enters the room, and stops when he sees me, and sees the boxes all over the room.  "What are you doing?  I told you to stop packing.  We are not moving.  This is our house and they cannot take it away, not without a fight."  John's yelling causes Janie to cry even harder.  And I say nothing.  Again.  John storms from the room, and I hear him go to his study.  I hear the bottles clink as he prepares a drink.  During all this I'm watching Jacob, watching the smile leave his face, his shoulders slump as he turns and leaves the room.  At only 12 years old, Jacob is losing his childhood too quickly.  I tell Janie to go and find her sister, then I go into the study only to find John throwing back his drink.  I cringe when I hear the glass shatter after John throws it against the wall.  And my heart breaks even more when I see him start to cry.  Finally.  I walk to him, and softly touch his arm.  He turns to me, holds me tight, and apologizes.  For his anger.  For losing his job.  For not taking care of his family.  And we both cry.  But this time, we cry together.

cake topper

Come back and join me next week to see what's next for John and Sarah.  And you can click on the links below the pictures to visit these great items available at HandmadeArtists.com

Be blessed,

Debbi

The Power of Love - chapter 6 - Grace is given

Welcome back to YankeeBurrowCreations Storytime. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let's see where my imagination takes us today. When you're done reading, click on the picture links to see what cool handmade items I found to accompany my story, that are also available for purchase.

 

The Power of Love - chapter 6 - Grace is given

striped crochet blanket

 Sitting still is not something that I will ever get used to, but crocheting helps.  I was taught how to crochet while in rehab by a wonderful woman with a lot of patience.  I would get frustrated, and the shakes from the withdrawal symptoms made it difficult to hold the hook, but she never gave up on me.  I can see now that the day the judge ordered me into rehab was the turning point in my life.  But oh, it was hard.  The hardest time in my life.  Even harder than watching my children stare at me through the back window of the police car as they were taken from me forever.  Funny how I didn't pay any attention to them while they were with me, but the emptiness I felt when they were gone was so painful.  Not even the drugs could make the pain go away.  And I tried every drug imaginable until the day someone found me almost dead in that flea bag of a hotel that us girls used for our "business".  After the doctors in the ER stabilized me, the police took me to jail.  And from there, the judge showed me mercy and sent me to Hope House.


fork man flower holder

I remember my first morning of sobriety at Hope House.  I opened my eyes, and there on my nightstand was a single rose.  Just starting to open, and a note underneath welcoming me to my new life.  I was amazed.  And touched.  And for the first time in 20 years, I felt hope.  I quickly immersed myself in the 12 steps of recovery, and in the day to day life at the house.  I found myself surrounded by people who didn't know me, but knew my life, and cared for me anyway.  It was through them that I met my higher power, my Father.  Over time I grew stronger and was able to find a job and an apartment, but I never left Hope House.  I became a counselor there and assisted in the programs of the church.  Like the food program.  Serving the people who lived on the streets feed my soul, but I never imagined that my past would find me there.  Until the day I looked up and saw Mara.  My heart stopped, then raced so hard and fast I thought it would jump right out of my chest.  I knew her the moment I saw her.  My baby girl, a woman.  And I recognized that look of pain and fear in her eyes.  And I cried.  I cried for her, and for me, and for all the bad choices I made in my life.  My pastor saw my reaction to this woman, and pulled me aside, where I poured out the whole story of my children.  I had not told anybody here that I once had a family of my own.  It was such a relief to share this last part of my past.  Without a word, I watched as the pastor sat down and talked to Mara.  Then over the next few months, I became friends with her, but I did not tell her who I was.  Not right away.  But our life stories did unfold as we spent time together serving the food together.  Now I know her as Hope, and she knows me, the real me.  The day I told her that I was her birth mother was amazing.  A lot of tears, but no anger.  Surprisingly no anger.  Just Hope, and Grace, from each other, to each other.

I feel Hope jump up from her chair, and then she is running and crying.  And hugging a stranger.  But she's not really a stranger.  I know who she is, and I am afraid to meet her.  Will she blame me?  Judge me?  Condemn me? 
No, Faith just hugs me.  And thanks me.  Me! 

Thank you for joining me on this journey. And remember, every item I have shared as part of my story is available for purchase, just click on the links below the pictures. And come back next week as we watch Love unfold.

 

Be blessed,

Debbi

The Power of Love - Chapter 4

Welcome back to YankeeBurrowCreations Storytime. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let's see where my imagination takes us today. When you're done reading, click on the picture links to see what cool handmade items I found to accompany my story, that are also available for purchase.

The Power of Love - Chapter 4

 

"We are approaching our destination. Please return to your seats, and return you seats to their upright position."  I look at the flight attendant as she starts her speech, and then I look at my hands.  They are shaking.  I put on my seat belt, then squeeze my hands together, and pray.



Hand Quilted Wall Hanging

That's when my Father reminds me of the last vacation Hope and I took together.  Just the two of us.  We decided at the last minute to hop into the car and drive to the beach.  It was her 16th birthday weekend, and she wanted to spend it with me.  I smile when I remember my husbands face when we told him it was just an all girls trip.  First he was sad at being alone, but then the realization that he would be free for 3 days brought a big smile to his face.  It took Hope and I days to get the house back in order after we got home.  But that trip was worth it.  3 days of giggling, eating, sunbathing, shopping, and talking.  That was my favorite time.  At the end of the day we would grab a soda and sit on the deck of our hotel room and share our feelings, and our dreams of the future.  But despite the comfort we were finding in our relationship, Hope was still holding something back.  That last night there, she timidly asked me about her birth mother.  I was stunned.  I never expected that, and didn't quite know what to say, or even how I felt about the question.  It was THE question I had always dreaded, and feared.  And like a coward, I just changed the subject.  Hope never asked me that question again.

Vintage 1970's luggage

I feel the bump as the planes touches down.  I stay in my seat as I watch as the other passengers start to unbuckle.  I sit as everyone grabs their luggage from the overhead carry on compartments.  I sit and watch as the flight attendants assist the other passengers out the door.  Finally, I am the only one still on the plane, frozen in my seat.  Deep down I know why Hope left home.  And I know why she has now asked me to come to this far away city.  And I feel the fear deep inside me.  Then I feel something else.  Peace.  Deep inside me.  And an all consuming desire to see, and hug, my daughter.  So this time I will not be a coward.  I take a deep breath, stand up and grab my bag, and walk off the plane.  I walk down the long hallways, lost in the crowds of rushing people.  As I turn the corner I see her and stop.  She is sitting next to a woman that I did not know.  Yet I did know.  How will she react to me?  How will I react to her?  Then my eyes are drawn like a magnet back to Hope.  She is beautiful.  She finds me in the crowd, and before I know it, she is standing before me.  Smiling.  Laughing.  And hugging....me.  And deep down I know, I am still, and always will be, her mother.

 Thank you for joining me on this journey. And remember, every item I have shared as part of my story is available for purchase, just click on the links below the pictures. And come back next week as we talk to Hope again.
Be blessed,
Debbi