ARTSY ESSAY CONTEST

ARTSY ESSAY CONTEST

Well boys and girls it is happening once again.  Judith Heartsong has started her Artsy Essay contest again. I loved reading all of the entries when she would have these. In fact, I met some interesting people because she had these contests.  So, be sure to stop by her blogspot and enter and enjoy reading all of the wonderful entries. 

Judith Heartsong

                   My Most Inspiring Possession

WHEN I first saw him, he was behind bars. Being in his early 20's he somehow looked older, gaunt almost. He looked as if he hadn't had a good meal in awhile and desperately needed to belong...........belong to society once again, belong to a decent family, be part of a persons' life whom he could trust and to be ABLE to love again.

NOT much is known about his earlier life. He isn't able to really discuss it and that is OK, I accept it. I do know he was abused. I do know that even behind bars he was on his best behavior.  The guards let me know that he was not really considered a problem, but IF he stayed there much longer his life would be changed and not for the better. So my husband took a walk with him and decided that we could give him a chance to start over.

HOW could I let a male into my life with such an unknown background? One who had loving eyes but held his head down when you tried to talk to him and found it difficult to know the "right" thing to do! How could he live this long and NOT know right from wrong?

WHEN he first came to live with us, my husband and I were on guard, afraid to leave him alone for fear he would hurt himself. When my grandkids came over they were so young they had no fear and they opened their hearts to him. Over time, he opened his, up to us.

OVER time my heart melted too and he has taught me more lessons than I could ever teach him. I feared my neighbors would not like him because of his mixed heritage but I was wrong on that count too. In fact I have one neighbor who has let him into her life and they decided to walk together just about every evening. They claim it's for exercise but I know they tell each other secrets and talk about the other neighbors.

BECAUSE I suffer from clinical depression there have been many times that I would prefer just to stay in bed and pull the covers over my head, but he has been the reason for me to get up in the morning. He has been the reason for me to know that the unloved are NOT the unlovable. He gets me in touch with my inner child. Before him, I really didn't know that I had one. He has taught me that even though I am an adult, I have a great sense of play........even though I can't run as fast as he can or spring up the hill behind our house after a snow storm like he can, I still try.

HE is most most inspirational precious possession. He is my reason WHY I have a greater capacity to laugh and love. He is older now and we are both wiser. His eyesight isn't what it once was, but neither is mine.

AT times it is a question of who possesses' whom.  His name is Latin and it means white. People of different ages remember him for the time frame in their life.  "LUKE, I am YOUR Father!" (Star Wars)  "What we have here, is a FAILURE to communicate!" (Cool hand Luke)

Meet Luke, he is my love and my most inspirational precious possession.

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