(Hope you didn’t put that box of tissues away!)
Tag: Blog-a-thon 2008
Blog-a-thon ’08: Welcome Home [4]
Want to know what’s going on? Visit this page.
This an ongoing story that I’m posting over the next several hours. Though I have an idea what I want to write, it’s not written – so this story will be rough, really rough, but I thrive on this impromptu stuff so … there you go. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
___________________________
“So there you are,” an attractive woman, her light brown hair perfectly lacquered in place, her dusty pink lipstick professionally applied, her light denim jacket and khaki slacks wrinkle-free, sat down beside her.
Alecia suddenly felt grubby and rumpled. She’d had a chance to take a rare shower and comb her hair, she hadn’t had time to actually fix it, so her long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Though her clothes were clean, they looked like she had left them in the dryer too long and then just grabbed them in a hurry to dress.
Which is exactly what happened, actually.
“Hello Margie,” Alecia said with a warm smile and leaned in close so the woman could give her a soft kiss on the cheek. “Have a seat. I think we still have a while to wait until Carter’s plane gets here.”
Alecia’s mother-in-law sat down beside her and wiggled her fingers at the baby. “Hello sugar pie.” Lisa kicked so hard at the sight of her grandma that the bottle slipped from her mouth. A small amount of milk worked it’s way out from between her lips and dribbled down her chin.
“Oopsie,” Alecia said and leaned to rip a cloth out of the side of the diaper bag. She swiftly cleaned off the baby’s chin before offering the bottle to Lisa once more.
“You’re getting quite good at juggling several things at once,” Margie said with a smile.
“No thanks to you.”
Margie waved her words aside and settled back into her seat. She took a moment to look out across the crowded room before saying, “There are a lot of people here, today.”
“That’s what I thought, too. I’m guessing there are a lot of military personnel coming home today.”
Margie continued to look straight ahead, but Alecia knew she was being watched, nonetheless. “So, are you nervous?”
She knew what she was talking about. Not so much the fact that she hadn’t seen her husband in ten months, she was more excited than nervous about seeing him, but she was nervous about presenting him with his daughter for the first time. How would Lisa react? Would she shy away from him because he was a stranger? Even though that was a real possibility, Alecia’s heart twisted at the thought that that might hurt her husband’s feelings.
Picturing that scene in her mind, she didn’t trust herself to speak without releasing a sob, so she simply nodded in response.
Margie patted her on the knee. “He is going to be so excited to see you two, Alecia.”
Alecia smiled and took the now empty bottle from Lisa’s mouth. She wiped her daughter’s face clean before tossing the cloth over her shoulder and lifting Lisa for a burp. “Where’s Vince?”
Margie’s smile faded and she reached out a hand to stroke her granddaughter’s fist.
“This is … not a good day for him.”
“I’m so sorry,” Alecia said while continuing to lightly pat Lisa’s back. “What have the doctors said?”
“It’s,” Margie paused, visibly swallowed and regained control of her emotions before continuing, “It’s just a matter of time.”
**************************************
So, the winner of this book?
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
Carolyn!!! Congratulations!!
Two people left comments for this book:
Carolyn and Alessandra. Thank you ladies!!
I know this is moving fast – sorry about that!! But that’s how a blog-a-thon works. I hope you can keep up with me! I’m having a BLAST trying to keep my head above water and I’m writing this story as I go along, so WHEW! It’s been quite a challenge! And just think, I have another 18 hours to go!!
Stay with me … you’ll have a chance to win another book shortly!
Blog-a-thon ’08: Operation First Response
The Mission of Operation First Response, Inc (OFR) is to support our nation’s wounded Heroes and their families with personal and financial needs.
For many of our families the financial hardship begins quickly and for others it is after the domino effect of extra costs and lost wages. At whatever stage they are in when they contact OFR we are committed to doing all we can to support these families because it is our responsibility as American citizens, the heart of OFR is exactly what makes America great… we know that our Freedoms are not free and we are committed to those who make those Freedoms possible.
It is our sincerest hope to educate Americans across the nation to the needs our wounded are facing; we believe with all our hearts that by giving them the respect and honor rightfully due them we will be able to give them the hope of a promising future.
In doing this we will ensure that all that have worn the “Uniform” will be an instant reminder to all Americans that a Hero stands before us…one of courage, strength and love for their country and whether their injuries are visible or not…
We will never forget… all gave some and some gave all!
To read more about Operation First Response, read their mission page.
There are various ways you can donate to Operation First Response. You can donate money, frequent flyer miles, or backpacks either full of personal hygiene products, t-shirts or sweats, or empty backpacks for them to use and provide our wounded heros.
_____________________
It’s time for a chance to win this book!
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
If you would like to win this book, just leave a comment on any of the posts between NOW and 11:00 a.m. U.S. central time! A winner will be announced in the 11:30 a.m. U.S. central time entry!
Blog-a-thon ’08: Welcome Home [3]
Want to know what’s going on? Visit this page.
This is an ongoing story that I plan on posting over the next several hours. Though I have an idea what I want to write, it’s not written – so this story will be rough, really rough. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
___________________________
A warning cry from her daughter captured her attention. She knew that sound. If she didn’t feed Lisa within the next fifteen minutes, the whole building would hear her displeasure.
Alecia rummaged in the large diaper bag and pulled out a bottle. She had finished making the formula moments before they had left the apartment, so she shook a few droplets onto her forearm – it was warm, but not hot.
“All right, baby girl,” she said as she balanced the bottle between her knees, “lunch time.” She unfastened the baby from the stroller and lifted her out of the carriage. A few people passing by slowed to look at them. Alecia squirmed and settled the baby next to her breast feeling self-conscious and on display. Though she could understand people’s curiosity, she still wished people would just ignore her.
A woman, most likely in her late 40’s, stopped completely to watch. Alecia could feel her cheeks grow warm under the woman’s scrutiny. She plucked the bottle from between her knees and rubbed the nipple gently against Lisa’s lips; she smiled as the baby gave it a greedy suck.
“Someone was hungry!” she said softly. Lisa lifted a tiny hand to her mother; Alecia placed her index finger in the baby’s palm, the small fingers curled around her skin and squeezed.
“Let’s go Wanda,” the man beside the woman who had stopped said. “We’re going to be late.”
“She knows that breast milk is best, right?” the woman said with a haughty sniff.
The man shot her an apologetic look before practically dragging the woman away from them.
Alecia had kept her eyes trained on the baby, so it was most likely the woman thought she hadn’t heard her.
But she had heard and it made her sad. She sighed, her breath gently stirring the fine hairs on her daughter’s head. “Life doesn’t exactly turn out like you planned,” she murmured. Lisa blinked in response.
Alecia raised her head and squinted toward the security gate. What she wouldn’t give to be able to go inside and check the monitors. She hated being stuck outside and not knowing her husband’s flight status. She jostled her daughter around so she could once more look at her watch.
Only twelve minutes had gone by since the last time she checked her watch. She forced herself to relax and looked back down at her daughter, who was staring up at her with intense blue eyes. She smiled. The baby responded by smiling back.
“Daddy will be here soon, baby girl.”
Lisa kicked her legs in response.
_____________________
It’s time for a chance to win this book!
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
If you would like to win this book, just leave a comment on any of the posts between NOW and 11:00 a.m. U.S. central time! A winner will be announced in the 11:30 a.m. U.S. central time entry!
Blog-a-thon ’08: Not Letting Go
_____________________
It’s time for a chance to win this book!
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
If you would like to win this book, just leave a comment on any of the posts between NOW and 11:00 a.m. U.S. central time! A winner will be announced in the 11:30 a.m. U.S. central time entry!
Blog-a-thon ’08: Heros
Want to know what’s going on? Visit this page
Many thanks to Right-Wing Right-Minded for posting about our heros.
Airmen from the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at an air base in Southwest Asia prepare a C-17 Globemaster III for an airdrop mission Jan. 14 to deliver humanitarian supplies to coalition forces in Afghanistan
_____________________
It’s time for a chance to win this book!
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
If you would like to win this book, just leave a comment on any of the posts between NOW and 11:00 a.m. U.S. central time! A winner will be announced in the 11:30 a.m. U.S. central time entry!
Blog-a-thon ’08: Patriotic Homecoming
As it should be.
(Have tissues close at hand).
__________________________
It’s time for a chance to win this book!
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
If you would like to win this book, just leave a comment on any of the posts between NOW and 11:00 a.m. U.S. central time! A winner will be announced in the 11:30 a.m. U.S. central time entry!
Write From Karen 