I've been working madly to catch up with my school. Every time I log into the classroom, I feel pressed for time, so I read through an assignment quickly, and get started. If I'm paying attention, I'll look at some other student's examples before I submit, but I've been pretty distracted and scatterbrained about anything not Connor, since Connor came.
Anyway, we were to find a short story or poem, and submit it, then create sketches to illustrate it, which we will rework in Illustrator later. Long story short, I thought the story had to be original, and since I have nothing other than my son on my mind, it kind of dictated my short story.
When I get the illustrations done, I'll likely repost with the entire project, but for now, enjoy the story:
This little light of mine.
Love and Life: from the perspective of a young new father, and aspiring artist.
By Stephen McClelland
He was a talented boy, if unfocused. Often distracted, he became skilled at many different things, but never quite mastered anything at all. He had The Light. His was one that glowed brightly, beautifully, but without direction or focus. His Light flickered and wavered like a fire in the wind, never quite growing strong enough to illuminate all that surrounds.
When he learned new things his light grew stronger. It seemed to shine brighter towards understanding of every thing that he learned. The more he understood, the easier it became to learn even more. When he practiced focusing his Light, it shone brightly in the direction he focused. Some of the flames of his fire had begun to burn towards consumption of their fuels. Unlike the fire, it seemed that when his rays of light fully focused, each of them would burn forever. He strove to shine brightly, to emanate in all directions.
Others had Light. He made friends easily with those who’s Light complemented his own. Sometimes with his friends or loved ones their combined Light could shine brighter than when alone. With a certain few, their Lights intertwined and somehow seemed to show The Way. Some few of his friends and those that he loved seemed to balance their Light with his. When they complemented each other well, they saw The Way more clearly.
Throughout his life he found many things to focus on. Some lead to wonderful discoveries. Others had short Paths that lead to prolonged distraction. He often had trouble discerning which direction was best to focus upon. Sometimes he wondered how he should decide which points were worthwhile. He moved listlessly from one interest to another, having difficulty remembering to focus. Some of his interests lead to long periods of distraction. Sometimes his Light dimmed, and lost some of it’s luster.
Even when he didn’t shine so brightly, he managed to remember hope, and always came back stronger eventually. His Path seemed twisted, but he was merely lead astray too often. Sometimes he remembered that his focus was important, and sometimes, he even had the discipline to work toward this end. When he remembered, he made great progress, but invariably, he would forget.
One day, the boy met a young girl who’s Light was unlike any he had seen. It surprised him. He knew that something about her Light was important, but he couldn’t discern exactly why. It didn’t take long for him to discover that he really enjoyed this girl’s company, and she enjoyed his, as well. Their Light came together in a new way; more Paths were visible when they were together. As they got to know each other better their Lights complimented each other in new and better ways. As time went on, he began to understand that this girl was special. She knew it too. In fact, when they were together, not only did their Light come together and shine more brightly, but each also shone brighter alone.
The boy and girl stayed by each other’s side through the dim times and the bright ones. After a few years the girl had become a woman, and the boy was becoming a young man. He knew that he must do something to prove his devotion, lest he allow her to become disenchanted by his vacillation. He bought a trinket for her to wear on her hand, and soon, by ritual they were joined forever.
During the following years the young man fluctuated between a youth and a man of honor. He struggled to push himself over the hill, and be a man that he himself could be proud of. With this wonderful woman by his side, he found the resolution to strive harder. She saw his potential, and knew he was capable of reaching it. She cultivated his confidence, and encouraged his efforts. He became something very near to that which he strove to become.
In his efforts, he learned to push through difficulties, and tighten his focus. He pushed harder towards his goals, and even started a business of sorts to buttress his life’s needs. This was very difficult, and many walls stood in his way. He climbed them, and over each, his light grew brighter, his focus stronger. He was coming ever closer to being that which he sought with each trial he overcame.
The business failed through little fault of his own. The young man felt frustration such as he had never know before, and despite all his efforts his Light waned. Were it not for the woman that held him up, he felt he would diminish to less than a glow.
One night, while spending time with that brightly glowing woman that he loved their Light came together in a new way. It became brilliant, blinding them temporarily, and then washing them in a long lasting comfortable glow. A new, smaller light grew from the two. It focused brightly in directions that both the man and the woman had sought before. It also focused in directions that each had focused without the other. It was their Light together, come to fruition.
The man was finally and truly a man. He knew his path, and so did the woman he loved. He would forever after cultivate their new light. As he saw the path open before him, he looked to the sky and said, “Thank you, I will forever protect this little Light of mine!”
At least I have learned how to upload pictures. Here are a few to enjoy. Stephen will have to show me how to convert the video files so that I can make them smaller. Currently they are too large to upload. I know this took much longer than I said in my last post, but things continue to stay busy. I do have some good news. Connor make get to go to college...I am one step closer to getting my CPA. I have passed another section. Actually I have passed all sections, but one expired so I have to retake it. Hopefully I will be done by the end of the year. Then I will go for my certified fraud examiner's certification.
Back to the important stuff - Connor has 2 teeth and is standing on his own for short periods of time. I actually had a post all written out and lost it. It is getting late so I don't have time to retype it now. Apparently, I haven't learned how to save my posts yet. Stephen is also doing well. He continues to be an amazing father and do home and school. I love my boys so much. There is the one precious picture of them asleep at the hotel in Jackson. I was up there for a work function and they came with me.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and I am working on learning more of this blogging stuff so that I can do it more regularly. Good night!!
