The Woman and The Storm
06/10/2011
Photo by Melissa R. Bickel
*
She looked up. So sure that she will reach the top with ease.
She had her life perfectly mapped out four years ago. She thought she only need to do step 1, then step 2, then 3…
She didn’t foresee the storm coming. She had been looking up and only saw a clear sky.
She thought storms only build up from above, not from the corners of the home.
“What’s wrong with the power lines?”
“Nothing is wrong. Just a storm coming. I guess.”
Lies swung her back and forth from wall to wall. Real painful each time the soul hit the hard cold surface.
She was unprepared to hear the insults which made her want to dig the floor with her bare trembling hands and stay underneath forever.
She thought that coloring the blackberry blue is odd enough but not until someone colored her skin blue and black.
The door. She had to reach the door and run while she could. She couldn’t stay and be beaten to death. What would the kiddos get out of a dead mama?
She never remembered running any faster than that day. Suffering, more than tired, she looked up to see her clear sky.
“The storm is here.”
*
For Bluebells Books – Thursday Short Story Slam.
–
TGIF!
🙂
bended spoon 
08/15/2011 at 6:45 PM
i am really blessed reading all your uplifting comments, powerful quotes & knowing beautiful people that are needless to see..
God bless everyone 🙂
08/16/2011 at 9:15 PM
Thank you so much for reading the comments. I am blessed as well by the comments of all the beautiful people in here. Most of the times I got to smile for the nuggets of wisdom shared and the love especially. God bless you too 🙂
06/28/2011 at 7:31 PM
[…] Bended spoon: https://bendedspoon.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/the-woman-and-the-storm/ […]
06/20/2011 at 1:34 AM
Powerful, and beautifully written…
06/20/2011 at 9:37 PM
Thank you so much for the appreciation. Blessings to you 🙂
06/15/2011 at 8:54 PM
Good bendedspoon – and so true! One never knows when a storm is brewing (or what goes on behind closed doors) I feel so sorry for that poor woman (and women everywhere who endure this). Good writing!
06/17/2011 at 12:19 AM
Your presence and appreciation means a lot. Thank you so much Lynda! Hugggs 🙂
06/15/2011 at 7:33 PM
this is a lovelpy prose…i feel like there could be added more becos the begiining right through takes you on what happen to the four year plan besides the storm coming.
06/17/2011 at 12:18 AM
Yes, there is so much more…
Peace and blessings to you 🙂
06/13/2011 at 11:38 PM
That’s amazing that we both have stories on seeking shelter in the storms. Coincidence, not likely, I believe God has a designated purpose for this.
Your post is beautiful. Emotional and filled with despair for when the storms approach we don’t always see the warnings.
Blessings to you. 🙂
06/14/2011 at 12:55 PM
And even if there is a warning, we do not know for sure how severely it could affect us — the more we need the Lord to pacify our soul.
Huggs and blessings to you 🙂
06/13/2011 at 9:31 AM
I’m glad that storms can be quieted if I have the faith. Storms come and go, change lives and landscapes. Rebuilding self-esteem and learning new ways to do things is the challenging part.
Thanks for sharing this poem.
06/13/2011 at 12:52 PM
That is so true! And what shall we do with the rest of our lives if we will not go for the challenge? Here’s to letting the storm make something beautiful out of us 🙂
06/12/2011 at 11:41 PM
What a ride! I enjoyed the flow of the story immensely!
06/13/2011 at 12:45 PM
Thank you for reading the story! 🙂
06/12/2011 at 10:30 PM
Insightful and painfully real. I have witnessed such storms.
06/13/2011 at 12:45 PM
And it could hurt as much to the witness.
Peace and blessings to you 🙂
06/12/2011 at 3:47 PM
Very nice. Well, I don’t know if “nice” is the right word, or even to say that I enjoyed this (because it was difficult) but it was well done and insightful and real. THanks.
06/13/2011 at 12:43 PM
I’ll take that ‘nice’ because the story is going there — thank you! Have a blessed day 🙂
06/12/2011 at 2:42 PM
Very good story, well written and impressive! And so horribly real!
06/13/2011 at 12:37 PM
Thank you Ina for appreciating 🙂
06/12/2011 at 12:54 AM
This is raw and intense emotion at its best … also brutally honest writing … thanks for sharing .
06/12/2011 at 1:25 AM
Thank you for seeing not only the scar but the star as well.
Blessings to you 🙂
06/11/2011 at 11:57 PM
It is a bit hard reading this post, as I have been in that situation.
However, the Lord saved me from the darkness so I never have to feel that way again!
Thanks for sharing!
Bee
06/12/2011 at 12:54 AM
We may not see in the dark but the Lord can see us. Hugggs to you 🙂
06/11/2011 at 9:43 PM
My youngest sister lived this life and I used to try and help her when I could but, she would always return to her husband and told me she was scared that if she didn’t have him, she’d be alone. It takes great courage to leave that place we think of as our ‘safe place’ because to step into the unknown is even more frightening, and because of that people continue to suffer the known because they know what to expect.
If this was you and you left it behind you, then you have much to be proud of. Sometimes it takes great courage to be the change you wish to happen in your world. Your prose is raw, and it’s so obvious that either you, or, someone you knew had to endure this.
So sad to think many people cannot give their pain a voice. I’m so glad you have been able to express that fear with your words.
06/12/2011 at 12:42 AM
Not all who stayed are in fear; but in faith. Not all who left are brave; some are scared. Courage isn’t about staying or leaving. It’s about admitting that we are weak on our own; that we are not ashamed to be seen on our knees praying; that we are moving on with love; that we won’t make someone responsible for our happiness. That’s just me.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts — well appreciated. Please hugggg your sister for me. I know you are in pain for her. Praying for both of you…Hugggs and peace 🙂
06/12/2011 at 1:09 AM
“Not all who stayed are in fear; but in faith. Not all who left are brave; some are scared. Courage isn’t about staying or leaving. It’s about admitting that we are weak on our own; that we are not ashamed to be seen on our knees praying; that we are moving on with love; that we won’t make someone responsible for our happiness. That’s just me.”
These words are full of wisdom from above. Would it be okay if I quote you and include a link to this post of yours in one of my upcoming blog posts? Please let me know.
Love,
Theresa
06/12/2011 at 1:20 AM
No problem at all Theresa. Grateful that you see those words worth sharing 🙂
06/12/2011 at 3:43 AM
That was a precious and deep word from Him to us through you, my ray of Son shine. Thank you! love, deb
06/13/2011 at 12:36 PM
Glad that it reached some ears 🙂
06/14/2011 at 10:56 AM
I just had to tell you something. Tonight My husband, my daughter and I attended a worship service at a church that my daughter and I had only went to once before…a couple weeks ago on a Sunday morning.. It is a new denomination for us…but we were so moved. In the message the pastor asked us if we knew what the personal storm was that we were facing.
There was so much love in that service. We all want to go back. Please remember us in prayer.
Blessings,
Theresa
06/14/2011 at 12:59 PM
Prayer and hugggs sent your way and will continue to do so. I can imagine your happiness with love surrounding you. You deserve it 🙂
06/11/2011 at 1:28 PM
this one is superb.
a fundamental story, well done, your words grabbed me in the beginning instantly.
06/11/2011 at 11:44 PM
Thank you so much Jingle for the appreciation. Blessings to you 🙂
06/11/2011 at 6:58 AM
Incredibly real. What saddens me deeply is that someone must have experienced that terrible pain to capture so perfectly what each second felt and smelt like. Worse still, people make choices every day thats sees someone end up experiencing this.
06/11/2011 at 11:42 PM
The pain is just a snapshot. There is more to life film especially if the director’s goal is to make it meaningful. Hugggs to you Maggs 🙂
06/11/2011 at 3:44 AM
OMG, this was amazing. Intense, brutal and so very well written.
06/11/2011 at 11:27 PM
Reality is more amazing than fiction and I’m not sure if it’s the reason why some prefers fiction — because there’s no truth to the pain and happiness is everlasting. Here’s to living in reality and love 🙂
06/11/2011 at 12:31 AM
Wow.
And I’ll say it again. Wow.
Nice work.
06/11/2011 at 11:17 PM
Thank you very much. Wishing you more wow moments 🙂
06/10/2011 at 10:07 PM
so sad so many women go through this. sure hope everyone reading this are living with beautiful sunny skies above them. happy friday to ya.
06/11/2011 at 11:14 PM
I am sure there are so many men going through this as well. It may not look as violent but nevertheless it’s soul wrenching. Thank you so much for your wishes. Peace and blessings to you 🙂
06/10/2011 at 8:17 PM
Thank you for sharing, Princess
I’m thankful you’re writing from the way life used to be…
This breaks my heart … but I’m thankful.
Blessings,
ann
06/11/2011 at 11:09 PM
I’m thankful too Ann. It’s safer in the storm with God than without God in calm weather 🙂
06/10/2011 at 5:10 PM
That hurt my heart.
06/10/2011 at 6:43 PM
Huggggs to us 🙂
06/10/2011 at 3:42 PM
Very powerful, and unfortunately far to common in our world. Here’s to praying for clear skies for all.
Nice post spoon, take care Alan.
06/10/2011 at 6:40 PM
That prayer Alan is as good as clear skies already! Thank you so much 🙂
06/10/2011 at 2:16 PM
God bless you as you share Him through fiction too! You are His ray of Sonshine!
06/10/2011 at 6:38 PM
This is truth Deb but be afraid not. I have yet to know of non-stop storm — that is not man-made 🙂
06/10/2011 at 11:10 PM
I want to come get you. Praying because I can’t, but Jesus can.
love you.
06/11/2011 at 1:17 AM
I want to come get you, too. We are with you in prayer.
06/11/2011 at 11:04 PM
Deb and Theresa you both always get me and feel me. That means soooo much. Love you 🙂
06/12/2011 at 12:10 AM
The subject of storms can be a hard one. My last two blog posts have spoke on this subject. The one titled “hinds feet” came to me as a result of reading this.
Love,
Theresa
06/12/2011 at 1:12 AM
I am sure I will find shelter in there 🙂
06/10/2011 at 1:51 PM
This is an intense piece, its so tragic but I am so glad she left
06/10/2011 at 6:33 PM
Pain always seems tragic but when you learn something from it, it could be catalytic.
Peace and blessings to you 🙂
06/10/2011 at 10:05 AM
It is true storms can rage without and within. Either way when they are quieted we know who is responsible. This post was very powerful.
Love,
Theresa
06/10/2011 at 6:24 PM
I have learned to acknowledge that — His power to hush the fiercest storm.
Your presence comforts me right now. Thank you for being here today. Love you 🙂
06/10/2011 at 10:03 AM
Oh, what a emotionally gripping description of what it is like to be a battered woman! Well written!
06/10/2011 at 6:18 PM
Thank you and blessings to you 🙂