Wednesday 29 February 2012

A Leap of Faith on Leap Day




Today is 29th February. 'Leap Day' as one of the children writing for the 100 Word Challenge charmingly called it.

My brother suggested today that I should make a time-capsule tin, and bury it in the garden, to be dug up in four years and opened - no doubt amidst cries of: 'No! That can't have been four years ago!', or, alternatively: 'Was that only four years ago?'

What should be put in that tin, I wonder?

I think it is a great idea. It should be done every Leap Day.
A regular marker of life - a yard stick.

Why don't you make one too, before the day ends and it's too late.
Make everyone in the family contribute something to the tin.
But quickly, quickly - especially as there is only a sliver of moon at the moment to bury it by, should you leave it until the dark watches of the night.
You will have to gather round with lanterns and spades, and the neighbours twitching their net curtains and wondering who you have disposed of.



In the meantime, this week's 100 Word Challenge is 
…Take a Leap of Faith….

And there is more. To quote from Julia's blog:
'Like, last week, you don’t have to include those words in the piece. If you get to write it before midnight on Feb 29th, you may like to put a reminder for yourself to post it on Feb.29th .net as well. It is set to be the biggest blogging event of the year so don’t miss out on getting involved! You can only post on that day – 29th Feb though!'   
So get posting!




Here is my entry for Take a Leap of Faith:



When he was born, an angel whispered in her ear: 'Be careful what you spin - though spin you must.'
But sated with happiness, she barely heard.

She spun without knowing, effortlessly. 
He toddled, went to school, played soccer, grew taller than her.
She caught the glint of wider horizons dawning in his eyes, ignored his angry: 'Spinning sucks!'

At 18, he showed her the cliff-edge. 'I want to dive,' he explained.
But hope shielded her, for remembering the angel, she understood.

'Fly,' she urged. 'I have given you wings. Trust them - they are spun from threads of the strongest love.'




Bird in flight. Image by Russ Hansen
                                       

                                           


Now I am going to finish putting things in my tin and seal it with duck tape, and put a label on it, and do complicated measurements to locate the EXACT spot in the garden where it will lie in repose for the next four years, so that I can find it again, rusted and decayed and fallen in on itself.

It's a pity my brother isn't here! He is a GIS wizard. He could make a map.

Note to self: Place all contents in plastic bag inside tin.

Additional note to self: Write memo on 2016 calendar to remind myself tin exists...

(Would the attic suffice, I wonder?)

23 comments:

  1. What a beautifully written 100 words - makes the heart soar on what, for me, has been the most mundane of leap days. Thank you!

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  2. This is the best entry I have read.
    It soars; it pirouettes on a knife edge f poetry and prose. It is delicious.
    If I bury a time capsule tomorrow, will it be too late?

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    1. That is so kind Isobel, thank you. I am really touched by both these lovely comments.
      I always studiously avoid reading anyone else's entry until I have posted, so I am really looking forward to looking at them now.

      Your post-dated time capsule will be our secret, and only ours. I promise not to tell.

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  3. Lorely - I thoroughly enjoyed this blog post. Your 100 word story was beautiful, and your musings on the time capsule made me giggle!

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  4. i have to give credit where its due for the time capsule idea... yes of course (like all my better ideas) it was amanda's suggestion.
    p.s. i'm sure its animal cruelty to tape up ducks. ducts on the other hand always need taping
    x

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    1. Well now, there's a surprise! I'd never have guessed!
      Your comment on the ducks has made me laugh, so I won't correct the typo!
      Thanks for your second comment below. I'm glad you like it.
      (You'd have to physically remove all computers, pencils, paper etc etc from my grasp to make me stop writing (and I bet you'd overlook the lipstick in my handbag, and the walls) - but thanks for the encouragement. Always need a dose of that.)

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  5. Lovely story. And terrific time capsule idea.

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  6. i love your 100 word entry. it is beautifully written. don't stop writing!

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  7. loved your entry--kate http://believeanyway.wordpress.com

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  8. This was definitely one of my faves read so far (like you I do mine first then read the others...don't think I would post if I did it the other way around!)
    Loved the metaphor of spinning; what a beautiful way to express letting a child make their own way.
    Great piece.

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  9. I agree with all the positive comments above, Lorely! The 100 words are simply stunning! Now, I've got some spinning to do!

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    1. Thank you Kate, Anna and Dughall for your comments. You are very kind.

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  10. GSussex
    Very beautiful, great imagery . . .

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  11. Awesome writing, lovely voice for such a magical tale.

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  12. What a lovely post, both the time capsule idea and the wonderful story!

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  13. This is a beautiful piece of writing. I love the way your 100 words encapsulate the idea of preparing your son for life and trusting him (and you) enough to let him go. You have captured how I hope see this journey panning out with my own sons - we're a way off the cliff edge as yet but I'm sure the time between now and then will fly by. Jx

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  14. Captivating message and the act of diving off a cliff is very powerful. Loved it

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  15. I still haven't buried a time capsule. maybe I never sahll.
    But I have tagged you, http://wp.me/pMKim-1aO

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  16. Oh your notes to self made me laugh. I hope you find it in four years! :)

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  17. Thank you all for your comments. They mean a great deal to me and I appreciate each one of them.
    I'm so glad you liked this post.

    Yes - I wonder if I'll even remember my time capsule in 4 years too, let alone whether I'll find it! I feel rather like an alzheimer-apprentice these days (no disrespect intended).

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