The Contest

Sunday, December 21st

I was thinking about this week’s writing contest. The writing prompt I have selected is to tell a short story using journal entries. Immediately that sounds right up my alley considering how much I like to journal. The only setback I can foresee is all the time that is spent participating in family traditions. Christmas time is one of the busiest seasons after all.

We are supposed to go look at Christmas lights and drink hot chocolate this evening while listening to some of the classic tunes of the season. I am hoping to help the process of creating a little Christmas magic for the kids. They don’t seem to be in the Christmas spirit. Maybe a singing car ride will do the trick. Of course, hot chocolate doesn’t hurt.

I am hoping for a little time before bed to think of some ideas to write about, or should I say, journal about. I wonder what the winning idea will be when it is all said and done? I am confident it’s there in the recesses of my mind, I only need to discover what it is. Either way, my goals this week are to create some Christmas magic for the kids and write a winning composition before this coming Friday, the 26th.

Monday, December 22nd

Last night’s outing was a lot of fun. Lots of singing and enough hot chocolate to go around for days. The Christmas lights seemed to be some of the best I’ve seen in what seems like way to long. As fun as it was the magic didn’t seem to be present. Sure, the kids were singing and digging the lights, but they were also distracted with constant texting and social media updates.

I had an idea for the contest that might turn out to be pretty good. I thought about writing a story about a guy who goes on a metal detecting adventure possibly somewhere in Galveston Texas and after finding a mysterious object he finds himself cursed and will stop at nothing until he has found salvation.

A story of adventure, mystery and rescue. Of course, writing it through journal entries may be a little tricky and I have only so much allotted time to write this week with Christmas right around the corner.

After dinner this evening we are supposed to begin our Christmas break tabletop games. A fun tradition I always look forward to. Good quality and family fun.

Tuesday, December 23rd

The Christmas shopping is done thankfully! I was starting to worry that it wouldn’t all come together in time. You would think with the shopping being done I would be at peace, but I still haven’t been able to work on my story for the contest.

The idea I came up with yesterday I don’t think is going to work. I don’t know enough about metal detecting to make the story believable and there is way more content about the subject than I am able to read with the time I have. There is still much to do. All the festivity activity!

I did have another, somewhat crazy idea, while waiting in line at the local coffee shop getting fuel for the brain. It would be about a guy who enters a writing contest and seeks to find the perfect story by journaling his ideas. It’s about overcoming writer’s block while up against a deadline. Will he have a worthy submission? Will he get it in on time for a chance to win the prize? Only time will tell.

Naw! That would never work. For real, though, writer’s block is starting to set in. My mind is all over the place. Maybe I will find some good inspiration soon.

Last night playing games with the family I think I saw a spark in the kids’ eyes. While playing dominoes we started talking about how imagination and anticipation where the building blocks and the foundation of the Christmas spirit.

We went around the table talking about that one thing that makes you think, “Christmas!” One said the smell of cinnamon. The other said being wrapped up in a cozy blanket feeling nice and warm while their face were cold and nearly freezing.

We closed our eyes and imagined experiencing those things. When we opened our eyes, I could see a hint of joy and delight starting to take hold. My only prayer is that it continues to grow.

Wednesday, December 24th

I am so grateful I only work a half day today. I haven’t even started to write for the contest yet, and the kids seem like they are between awake and sleep when it comes to experiencing the Christmas spirit. I am not sure what else to do to make them experience this season a special one that they will remember. I also can’t think of one thing to write. I am really starting to feel the pressure.

Usually, short stories come pretty easy to me but for some reason I am drawing a blank. It could be all the stress from work, from Christmas, and from being up against the deadline of the contest submission. I am praying for a Christmas miracle.

Thursday, December 25th

Merry Christmas! Last night we kicked off the evening at a family church service. The message of a savior stirred my heart. It was a wonderful story of sacrifice, of hope and of love that endures forever. Then singing silent night with raised candles lighting up a dark room and all the voices singing in one accord under lit candles in my heart and mind renewal was born. Relief, and a peace that surpasses understanding.

I looked over at my kids and for the first time saw something you can’t quite put into words. An inner light. Joy. The magic of Christmas alive and well in the eyes of children.

After getting back home and eating dinner we stayed up late watching all our favorite Christmas movies. The kids were filled with excitement and anticipation. Eventually they were ready to go to bed, but unable to go to sleep. Just being an observer of something so special is quite the blessing that I hope to hold on to for years to come.

The morning came quick, but coffee soon followed. The surprise and delight found on their little faces entering a dark living room only lit by the lights of a Christmas tree was like watching a beautiful sunrise take place in the place you call home.

I decided not to think about the contest for Christmas day and try to be mentally and physically present for the kids. I found my decision to be quite difficult. I already have an idea about what to write I just need to put it all together.

Playing with their new toys and helping them to create new worlds and dreams in the land of imagination was a healthy distraction from the fleeting time and a hard deadline approaching quick. I am feeling confident in what I want to write but I really don’t like waiting till the last minute. On the other hand, Christmas only comes once a year and your kids are only young for so long.

It was such a special day. One I won’t forget for a lifetime. Of course, now that I have written this all down, I can come back to it any time and remember. Awe! The blessings of journaling.

Friday, December 26th

Today is the day! The last day to submit a story for the writing contest. Christmas has come and gone. All the presents. All the lights, the treats, the chocolate. Oh, my goodness, THE CHOCOLATE! The thrill of gathering around a lit tree stuffed with surprise. Gone for now. There is one thing that remains, me, and the story at hand.

It’s time to get busy. This morning, I am confident I have the perfect story to tell. One of surprise and delight. One of love and of sacrifice. I have learned that the magic of Christmas is not about all the things that come and go but about the things that last forever. It’s time to write. The clock is ticking.