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Carolynn McCully

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2024

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5 Followers
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8 Stories

126 karma pts

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A CEDAR WHISPER TO REMEMBRANCE

Weekly Contest #353

A CEDAR WHISPER TO REMEMBRANCEBy Carolynn McCully There is an old mountain saying: “Some gifts are wrapped in silence, carried on the wind, and left at the water’s edge for those who know how to listen.” As the saying implies, the smallest things can carry the loudest truths, just like the driftwood fragment left over time at the water’s edge. I’ve come to believe the earth remembers far more than what we so often forget. I have found wisdom in the old rhythms and the quiet language of wind and tide, the way a living world still speaks if we...

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The Rhythm That Remains

Weekly Contest #348

THE RHYTHM THAT REMAINSBy Carolynn McCully It began as a heartfelt rhythm, steady, enclosing and impossible to separate from myself. The experience itself could be construed as preparation for what was to come, shaping my understanding and giving the journey that followed purpose. The First Glimmers of Self Although unusual, my awareness of this brand-new human life experience, which began with my birth on November 17, 1944, emerged gradually. Incredible as it may seem, I can recall sensations from my early childhood through adulthood that r...

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BEFORE HELLO & BEYOND GOODBYE

Weekly Contest #346

BEFORE, HELLO & BEYOND GOODBYEA Dream-Vision Love StoryBy Carolynn McCully A ‘fairy tale,’ perhaps,… at least in the minds of some. For me, a journey of love that stretched the imagination, unfolding as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What happened so long ago still echoes through my life, as a reminder that joy often rises from sorrow. And to think, it all began with a dream-vision. The kind of dream that refused to fade.The full meaning of the dream would not reveal itself until much later in life. At the time of this remarkable exper...

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Prelude to Joy

Weekly Contest #334

A PRELUDE TO JOYBy Carolynn McCully Some folks would call what I am about to tell you a ‘fairy tale,’ but to me, it's more like ‘only once in a lifetime.’ A phrase, in fact, that, to this day, gives me cause to pause, just long enough to put a smile on my face, rescuing me once more from feeling overwhelmed with grief. Every time my mind goes to this magical memory, I know that there is some truth to fairy tales, the kind that changes sadness into happiness, until death do us part. I sit alone, my heart aching, as I relive our journey tog...

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Waters Edge Gift

Weekly Contest #324

WATERS EDGE GIFT “Some gifts are wrapped in silence, carried on the wind, and left at the water’s edge for those who know how to listen.” - Old Mountain Saying. Like the quote implies, sometimes, the smallest things carry the loudesttruths, much like a driftwood fragment, a spark of energy, and the birth of a new voice retrieved by diving into unknown waters. My discovery came at a time of need, perfectly captured by the saying, ‘Change is as good as a rest.’ This phrase could not have come at a better moment, just as my sister invited m...

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Starlit Ritual: Whispered Journeys Through Night and Memory

Weekly Contest #323

An Ode to Love, Loss, and the Magic of Looking Up A nightly ritual had once more quietly begun while gazing up at the sky before bed. In the past, this habit of pausing by the window had become something I looked forward to doing, even though I now had to do so alone. It was hard to believe that my dear man had passed away, leaving me with only sweet memories of the great times we had shared in this earthly sojourn together. We had found each other at the latter half of our life journeys, and what a marvellous half that turned out to be....

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Squirrely Bargain

Weekly Contest #322

A SQUIRRELY BARGAIN “Nature’s lessons are timeless, teaching us patience, resilience, and the beauty of embracing change.” -Gabriel Cruz A noble gesture with the highest of intentions was about to shake up both my inner and outer safe sanctuaries. It all began on a beautiful, easy-going summer morning, a stark contrast to the busy life I had been leading. The realization dawned that there were fewer days left before the sun's warmth would begin cooling down, leaving little time to take advantage of what it offered. I would do my best to make...

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ALL DRESSED UP TO FETCH COWS

Weekly Contest #318

This short story is based on a childhood memory of pride, cowpies, and unexpected wisdom, exploring how love and belonging often manifest in the most humbling circumstances. Pride Goeth before a Fall…or a cowpie!During my early childhood, visits to my grandparents’ farm were pure magic. Their home greeted you with warm smiles and the comforting aroma of Grama’s pies, where each slice gave one the sense of belonging. Grampa’s booming laugh and sky-high twirls made every arrival feel like a celebration. I belonged there, leaving me in no doubt...

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