Walk With Me

It’s suggested to know someone you should walk a mile in their shoes.

Imagine the feel of those cowboy boots as you tug on the straps and immerse your feet and thoughts in the life and stride that created that worn leather. Feel how confident you are as you strut across a crowded room. Notice how everyone hears the powerful, echoing sound of the unyielding leather soles as they meet the wood floor beneath your feet. You can almost hear the haunting whistle from the theme song “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.

Now a code blue alert beckons your attention as you run down the hallway. You hear the sound of your rubber-soled shoes squelch against the polished tile floor. You arrive first to the room and thank your comfortable leather uppers for allowing you to move without concern for yourself as you concentrate on helping a patient during this crisis.

Who are these people? What do they do for a living? What happens in their life? How would it be to walk in their shoes for just a little while?

The fictional stories presented here give you a glimpse of another’s walk through life. So, come on, slip on those shoes and…walk with me.

Click here to view the short stories.

Life is Delicate

This week’s Photo Challenge from Michelle Weber at WordPress is to share a picture that means delicate to me.

I feel that I cannot concentrate as I watch the news today and think about how delicate life is. The tragedy that occurred today in Newtown, Connecticut is causing my heart to ache. I wish that I could hug each and every person in that community and everyone affected. I recall very clearly this period of my life and cannot fathom what it would be like to have to live through something like this. All I can do is encourage everyone to hug your children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. Talk with your family and friends about this. Tell them that you love them.

Delicate
©2012 Tracy L. Constantine

I share with you the above image. I recall as I took this picture, the wind blowing gently, causing the delicate fronds to sway in the breeze. Let the breeze of love blow gently on each and every one of you.

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More Matter

I’ve just posted the second installment in a series of stories about Mel, David and their friends as they mark off items from their bucket list. I couldn’t help myself. The moment I saw the You Matter video from the TED Talks, my mind kept playing a fictional story in my head. Please click here to read It’s Time To Say…You Matter. I hope you enjoy it.

And, as always, if you like it, please leave a comment. Thank you.

These Two Words Can Change Your Life

A while ago, I saw a TED Talk by Angela Maiers. I came across it again just the other day and have been thinking about what she said. The topic was ‘You Matter’.

These two simple words can change your life. You matter. Two words. One fewer than its intended meaning…I love you. We say these words all the time to our family and friends. We say the words so often that we sometimes do them instinctively. It’s a habit. An extremely wonderful habit that does not need to be broken.

When you tell someone that they matter, you’re saying that they are a human being and they are noticed. They are important. They are necessary. They are significant.

Every person on this planet needs to know that they are cared for. Let’s notice one another. Let’s tell someone that they have been noticed. Then tell someone else. And then someone else. Change your life. Change someone else’s life. Make it a habit. I will start and tell you that…You matter.

If you like this, please click on the Like button. Also feel free to share and leave comments. Thank you!

The First Time I Left Home

Have you ever felt that taking a vacation is like running away?

It’s been years since I’ve taken a real vacation. The chance to get away and relax. Do nothing. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to do just that. I didn’t plan it. It just sort of happened. Things lined up just right and before I knew it, my husband turned to me and said, “Why don’t you go see your Mom?”

“I can’t just leave like that,” I said with a searching look.

“Why not?” he contradicted.

“I can’t just leave you here alone.”

“This week is going to be a long week. I’m going to be working most of the time anyway,” he chuckles. “Just do It. Call your Mom and ask her if it’s okay that you come.”

“What about my writing?”

“You’ve got a laptop. You can write from there. It would be a good break.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

He picked up my cell phone and handed it to me. I dialed her number and popped the question.

“When?” she asked.

“Tomorrow or the next day,” I replied.

I could hear the surprise in her voice as we talked about it. She agreed, of course.

And as I hung up the phone, my husband hugged me. He gave me a kiss and said, “Get packed.”

I smiled and with excitement complied.

The next morning, I kissed my husband as he left for work. I got the last of the things I needed to do finished in a surprisingly short time, placed the bags in the car and turned onto the highway. As I drove I began to recall childhood memories and by the time I arrived at my Mom’s house, I had a complete story. Over the course of the next few days, I wrote what I had envisioned on my drive.

You know, there’s nothing like the feeling of running away…even for just a little while. Click here to find out what happened The First Time I Left Home.

Announcing the Chicago Air Show

For days, I’ve heard the growling sound of jets in the sky above as the pilots prepare for The Chicago Air & Water Show this weekend, August 18th & 19th. It’s a free event that millions of people enjoy with their family and friends. The event takes place in Chicago, Illinois. If you are in the area, find a spot that gives you a clear view of the sky and you won’t be disappointed. Every year, the planes fly between the skyscrapers in the city and then speed toward the lake. The pilots perform acrobatics that will take your breath away. If you get the chance to sit on the beach, you will swear that their wings are about to brush the shores of Lake Michigan before they disappear in a blur, only return a few moments later to perform another amazing feat. Be prepared because once you start watching you will not want to stop.

The photo was taken by me a few years ago using a Canon EOS Rebel with a standard 75-300mm zoom lens. This was my first encounter with such high speed objects. I hope that I will have the opportunity to practice again this year.

Bucket List

I write fiction stories and have for quite some time and have just recently shared some of them on one of my blogs. I posted She’s Got Flare. It’s a short story about Mel and her friends. They’ve just graduated from college and one of the things they vow to do is to immediately start on their bucket lists. In their first drawing, David’s name is chosen and they set out to do the top item on his list. Click here to read the story to find out what they have committed to and the surprising outcome.

Discover wondrous places, thrilling adventures and magical moments as each item is crossed off their lists.

As always, I welcome comments and discussion. So, what’s on your bucket list?

Exciting Response!

I am so excited at your response to my blogs in the very short time that they’ve been active. I started blogging on WordPress just about a month ago. Each of these blogs has reached a milestone. There are over 200 wonderful followers of each of these sites. You must realize that this is extremely encouraging, especially to a relatively shy writer and photographer. 8)

I have quite an analytical side to my character as well, so provided below are the statistics:

204 people Enjoying The View

212 people reading what’s On My Mind

208 people Walking With Me

Thank you for your encouragement, feedback and for spreading the word. I appreciate the confidence that you have in me and am eager to continue sharing!

Tracy

http://tracyconstantine.wordpress.com

Fireworks background provided by Free Digital Photos .net