Reflection: A to Z Blog Challenge 2016

To be quite honest, my reflection post is more of a thank you than about improvements. This year's  A to Z Blog Challenge was indeed a challenge for me. Lots of unexpected situations took place. More than once, I was caught on my blindside, and the challenge was one of the reasons I kept going.  I had to make myself get up and write my posts and to visit other people’s blogs.  

When things get tough for me, I have found out that I need some project or commitment to make me forget about my woes. For me, that something this year was the A to Z Blog Challenge.

So, my heart is full of gratitude. The leadership team did an outstanding job.  Many thanks to Arlee Bird and the entire team.

I met some cool bloggers, learned a lot about a genre of music I did not know about, had a chance to ooh and ahh over dogs, found out I wasn’t so dumb in science as I thought, relived memories of the times I have visited the United States, received some great writing information, gathered some more information about caregiving, looked at my own approach and attitude toward change, had my brain fried in quizzes, read some fantastic stories by authors I didn’t know, increased my TBR list, reminisced over old  television shows, learned some new words  and can you believe it I was a winner three or four times on Michelle’s Blog.  I never win anything.

Thus, I am peachy peach happy, just waiting on my tee shirt.

Hope to see you all next year, because the A to Z Blog Challenge is worth a return visit.  The comradeship alone is invaluable.

Shalom Aleichem,

Pat Garcia

Many Thanks for Reading The Child and The Prophet

Morning Everyone,

I made it through.   I am a survivor, and The A to Z Blog Challenge 2016 is over. 

Now, I have to reconnect to me.

Many thanks to all of you for your support.  It was my pleasure to share The Child and The Prophet with you.

Have a great week.

Shalom Aleichem,

Pat Garcia

Zeitgeist, Zenith, A Fable out of The Child and The Prophet

The Zeniths

The beauty of the mountains ahead lay in the fact they looked like seven stair steps with a cumulus cloud circling the fourth mountain like a bracelet around a woman arm.  The sun had risen. The air filled with the sounds of animals long awoke.

Lily Pad

Lily Pad had parked by the bank, anchored like a boat waiting for her passengers to debark.

Mr. Whale

Mr. Whale no longer in sight,

Octavio

Octavio, address unknown and

Mr. Eagle

Mr. Eagle somewhere in the blue sky.

The Child

"Prophet?" The Child said stepping out of Lily Pad onto the bank.

"I remember standing on this bank years ago."

"This one is different."

"Oh. Am I there?"

"You've put your foot on the path that leads to the first zenith."

"The first?"

The Prophet

"Yes, Child, the first."

"But, Prophet, ahead is a stairway of mountains!"

"True."

The Zeniths

"Which zenith is mine?"

"Whichever you choose, Child."

The Child observed the far distant mountain peaks scaling toward the sky.

"It doesn't get any easier, does it?"

"The zeitgeist of your era demands an illusion of instant satisfaction, Child."

"Will you stay with me, if I say enough and remain at the first zenith."

"Yes, Child."

"You'll accept my choice."

"Yes."

"Even though you might know it's not the best zenith for me?"

"The decision will always lie with you."

"Oh, Prophet?"

The Child

Consternation and determination highlighted the wrinkles on her face as she considered.  She turned and regarded The Prophet.

"What's your choice, Child?"

The Zeniths

"You see that last zenith beyond the mountain with the cloud embracing it?"

"Yes."

"That's where I belong."

The Prophet

"In that case, Child, look who's coming to greet you."

"Mr. Raccoon!" Shouted The Child.

Mr. Raccoon

"I told you we'd meet again."

Shalom Aleichem, and Toda, Grazie, Danke, Merci, Gracias, Obrigado, Thank you,

Pat Garcia