You Light Up My Life
Since my brain is more than a little fried (at the full time day job again, taking care of The Peanut, The Kiddo back at pre-school but running him back and forth has got me in a bit of a tizzy, attempting to eat more home-cooked meals with less time to prepare them..), I am simply going to respond to the writing prompt (below). It will make this post more bearable than the moaning of a work at home mom.
PROMPT: "Compare one or more people you know to sources of light in a piece of writing. Who is a 20-watt bulb? 100-watts? Who is a spotlight? A strobe light? A nightlight? A Christmas light?...*"
People have mentioned to me that if I'm sorta like that bug-light that hangs outside on my parent's back deck. The one that is constantly humming, but zapping mosquitoes that are frittering around our heads, necks and exposed ankles and toes in the summer months in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the mosquitoes are the unofficial insect of the state you know). Now, I'm told that comparison is not because I zap and hurt people because they get close to me--but, I might warn you that might be the case if you find me too early in the morning without my coffee. I am told, however, it is because I often draw people too me. Maybe because I seem to be full of endless energy and fun ideas. That I am constantly pushing people to do more with their lives and with themselves. Or maybe because I can't just let people sit there and do nothing--I'm a natural motivator. One who does what she hopes everyone should do with their lives: constantly reach for their dreams.
But this post isn't supposed to be about me (is it?)--it's about my perception of others. Or at least my perception of their lighting moods whether they are figuratively or physically. So, I will start with the easiest of them all. Christmas lights. Specifically the white ones that flash. Those, are clearly, made for my daughter, The Peanut. That girl, only 3 months old, can flash her gummy smile at any lost sole, and the twinkle shines so bright, you can't help but smile yourself. And I am not kidding you. She is the most smiley kid I know--as well as the most twinkling. Don't trust me, come on over and let me have her flash those toothless gums your way. She'll have you wrapped around your finger in no time.
Now the colored Christmas lights are my son, The Kiddo. Sure you say, take the easy way out and assign one kid to colors and one kids to a different type. Well... of course! If you have kids, if one is one hand, then the other is the other. Get it? I mean, you can't think of one without the other. It is motherly (and fatherly) impossible. I've tried. Like today when The Kiddo went back to pre-school (all day) for the first time since my daughter was born. I couldn't look at her and not think of him.
So back to the lights. Yes, he's the colored ones. He's got every mood possible, and let me tell you--I know about it when he is blue. Or green (you haven't seen power puke, until you've seen his). Red--his favorite color--reminds me of of when he is happy. And orange, for when he is ever so cheerful and he doesn't know I am watching. I could go on and on. Basically, the kid wears his feelings on his sleeve. And each and every color on those strings of lights, could be one of The Kiddos moods. And if they twinkle, well I know he's in for a good day.
Now for the cheese factor-- 100 watt bulb = The Husband. Seriously. He is the light of my life. The man who deals with my shit, lets me be me, and well, keeps me in a straight line when I am wandering off the path. And when I am wrung so tight I can't get off that path--he pushes me aside so I have some fun. Sometimes so much fun, I forget we've known each other for over 15 years (been married 8). And if that can happen after that long--we're in it for over 50--easy. Not to mention, that 100 watt bulb that he is, doesn't let me hide behind a damn thing. He's seen it all. Literally (and figuratively). And he's still hanging around. Who knows what I did to deserve him.
Now that 40 watt decorative bulb (you know the one that is used in chandeliers with the fun little tip that looks a bit like frosting)? Well that one is sorta special. It's for a friend that has whispered to me for years to write. To keep writing. To write until my fingers bleed. And to never give up hope... of course, with writing. No matter what happens. Even when I didn't even know that I really (really) did want to try my hand at writing novels. Or wasn't ready to admit I was. She knows who she is. She claims that I've always had it in me. But, well, I needed a bit of encouragement (who doesn't?)... and she's always there cheering me on. That little curled tip on top--is her, giving me a little wink to keep writing, she'll light the way.
Lava lamps? Those are my sister. I love her to death. In fact, I think I don't tell her that often enough (hear me sis! I love you!), but she's got her own way of doing things. And that she does. Never one to follow the lines, or do things "properly" (her words, not mine), she just goes about her business. Right or wrong. And thus, I can't give her any normal lighting bulb. She's got to be a bit unique. And retro.
Now, there is one last light to talk about (at least tonight, my head hurts).... the low-watt night lights. The night lights are always glowing there in the dark trying to figure out life. Even though days pass into nights, well, this one particular person (sorry, can't give a way the identity, I might hurt some feelings), can't quite get it right. Or doesn't want to. Or maybe, just doesn't know how. Even though they've been around for a while. In fact, longer than me. Right now, unfortunately, they are a bit lost. And hoping some guiding light will just blast by to share some vision. Or at least some vivid path to go forth and prosper. Unfortunately, as we all know, those lights don't always happen. I just don't want to call her a burnt out bulb in the future, so let's cross our fingers for some enlightenment soon.
Oh and one more (my mind is working. At least slightly)! And this is hilarious to probably only me--but definitely true. My boss. She's funny and a bit zany. So me saying she is like the blue LED light found in a Bluetooth (R) headset-isn't as ridiculous as it sounds. She really is the glowing light that keeps on shining when she's charged. And, if we all don't need that at work, I don't know who does.
So that's enough. I've worn out any creativity that is left in me tonight. [In an Elvis voice: thank you. thank you very much.] As the end of the prompt said, "Be illuminating and write." Give this prompt a shout out on your blog and write your own Light of Your Life Post and let me know about it in the comments.
*I've taken to using writing prompts every now and again to keep these posts a little less stagnant. And since this place at least gives me creative (if not zany) prompts, I figured I'd stay with it for now.
PROMPT: "Compare one or more people you know to sources of light in a piece of writing. Who is a 20-watt bulb? 100-watts? Who is a spotlight? A strobe light? A nightlight? A Christmas light?...*"
People have mentioned to me that if I'm sorta like that bug-light that hangs outside on my parent's back deck. The one that is constantly humming, but zapping mosquitoes that are frittering around our heads, necks and exposed ankles and toes in the summer months in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the mosquitoes are the unofficial insect of the state you know). Now, I'm told that comparison is not because I zap and hurt people because they get close to me--but, I might warn you that might be the case if you find me too early in the morning without my coffee. I am told, however, it is because I often draw people too me. Maybe because I seem to be full of endless energy and fun ideas. That I am constantly pushing people to do more with their lives and with themselves. Or maybe because I can't just let people sit there and do nothing--I'm a natural motivator. One who does what she hopes everyone should do with their lives: constantly reach for their dreams.
But this post isn't supposed to be about me (is it?)--it's about my perception of others. Or at least my perception of their lighting moods whether they are figuratively or physically. So, I will start with the easiest of them all. Christmas lights. Specifically the white ones that flash. Those, are clearly, made for my daughter, The Peanut. That girl, only 3 months old, can flash her gummy smile at any lost sole, and the twinkle shines so bright, you can't help but smile yourself. And I am not kidding you. She is the most smiley kid I know--as well as the most twinkling. Don't trust me, come on over and let me have her flash those toothless gums your way. She'll have you wrapped around your finger in no time.
Now the colored Christmas lights are my son, The Kiddo. Sure you say, take the easy way out and assign one kid to colors and one kids to a different type. Well... of course! If you have kids, if one is one hand, then the other is the other. Get it? I mean, you can't think of one without the other. It is motherly (and fatherly) impossible. I've tried. Like today when The Kiddo went back to pre-school (all day) for the first time since my daughter was born. I couldn't look at her and not think of him.
So back to the lights. Yes, he's the colored ones. He's got every mood possible, and let me tell you--I know about it when he is blue. Or green (you haven't seen power puke, until you've seen his). Red--his favorite color--reminds me of of when he is happy. And orange, for when he is ever so cheerful and he doesn't know I am watching. I could go on and on. Basically, the kid wears his feelings on his sleeve. And each and every color on those strings of lights, could be one of The Kiddos moods. And if they twinkle, well I know he's in for a good day.
Now for the cheese factor-- 100 watt bulb = The Husband. Seriously. He is the light of my life. The man who deals with my shit, lets me be me, and well, keeps me in a straight line when I am wandering off the path. And when I am wrung so tight I can't get off that path--he pushes me aside so I have some fun. Sometimes so much fun, I forget we've known each other for over 15 years (been married 8). And if that can happen after that long--we're in it for over 50--easy. Not to mention, that 100 watt bulb that he is, doesn't let me hide behind a damn thing. He's seen it all. Literally (and figuratively). And he's still hanging around. Who knows what I did to deserve him.
Now that 40 watt decorative bulb (you know the one that is used in chandeliers with the fun little tip that looks a bit like frosting)? Well that one is sorta special. It's for a friend that has whispered to me for years to write. To keep writing. To write until my fingers bleed. And to never give up hope... of course, with writing. No matter what happens. Even when I didn't even know that I really (really) did want to try my hand at writing novels. Or wasn't ready to admit I was. She knows who she is. She claims that I've always had it in me. But, well, I needed a bit of encouragement (who doesn't?)... and she's always there cheering me on. That little curled tip on top--is her, giving me a little wink to keep writing, she'll light the way.
Lava lamps? Those are my sister. I love her to death. In fact, I think I don't tell her that often enough (hear me sis! I love you!), but she's got her own way of doing things. And that she does. Never one to follow the lines, or do things "properly" (her words, not mine), she just goes about her business. Right or wrong. And thus, I can't give her any normal lighting bulb. She's got to be a bit unique. And retro.
Now, there is one last light to talk about (at least tonight, my head hurts).... the low-watt night lights. The night lights are always glowing there in the dark trying to figure out life. Even though days pass into nights, well, this one particular person (sorry, can't give a way the identity, I might hurt some feelings), can't quite get it right. Or doesn't want to. Or maybe, just doesn't know how. Even though they've been around for a while. In fact, longer than me. Right now, unfortunately, they are a bit lost. And hoping some guiding light will just blast by to share some vision. Or at least some vivid path to go forth and prosper. Unfortunately, as we all know, those lights don't always happen. I just don't want to call her a burnt out bulb in the future, so let's cross our fingers for some enlightenment soon.
Oh and one more (my mind is working. At least slightly)! And this is hilarious to probably only me--but definitely true. My boss. She's funny and a bit zany. So me saying she is like the blue LED light found in a Bluetooth (R) headset-isn't as ridiculous as it sounds. She really is the glowing light that keeps on shining when she's charged. And, if we all don't need that at work, I don't know who does.
So that's enough. I've worn out any creativity that is left in me tonight. [In an Elvis voice: thank you. thank you very much.] As the end of the prompt said, "Be illuminating and write." Give this prompt a shout out on your blog and write your own Light of Your Life Post and let me know about it in the comments.
*I've taken to using writing prompts every now and again to keep these posts a little less stagnant. And since this place at least gives me creative (if not zany) prompts, I figured I'd stay with it for now.
Labels: writing prompt
