SATURDAY'S SHORT STORY

THE BOX

The minute the man bolted inside her shop, Jessica recognized him and heaved a heavy sigh. She had hoped never to see him again.

     "Hello, Mr. Palance. I see you've brought back the box."

    

     "Yes." His voice growled. "I don't care if it was free, I'm giving it back. I should have known something was fishy. Who owns a store and gives things away?"

     "Very well. I did promise if you weren't satisfied you could return it.."

     As he watched her hide the box under the counter, he scolded, "You shouldn't give this box to anyone else, Miss Kirsten. It's cursed, I tell you. It's brought me nothing but problems."

     "I am sorry things didn't work out for you. The last time you were here, you told me things had never been better. You even mentioned meeting a special lady. I reminded you then, you needed to give the box away."

     Mr. Palance rubbed the stubble on his chin, "Yes, that's true. I just couldn't part with it. In the beginning, nothing went wrong. Money was pouring in. So  I made sure the box was never out of my sight, for fear the spell would be broken. Then suddenly everything went wrong. My business partner embezzled thousands of dollars and it's going to take years before it's resolved in the courts. I'm facing bankruptcy. My girlfriend turned out to be the kind of woman who expected me to buy her expensive jewelry and wine and dine her every night." He wiped his forehead with his handkerchief.

     "Why did you keep the box? That wasn't part of the agreement. I told you it would only hold its magic for a short while. Then it was vital for you to give the box away and specify the conditions. That's the tradition. It's a way for other people to have the same opportunity to prosper, just as you did."

     "I wasn't going to give up something that was bringing me good fortune. It's a useless piece of junk now. I've taken all it had to give." Without saying anything else he stormed out the front door.

     A little while later, a young girl entered the shop and gave Jessica a warm smile, "Oh what a lovely little store. It's so enchanting." She exclaimed as she walked around.

     "Thank you. Is there something special I can help you find?"

     "I'm looking for a special gift for someone who needs a little joy in her life."

     "Perhaps you may be interested in this." Jessica reached behind the counter and presented the young girl with the box Mr. Palance had returned.

     The girl made a frown as she examined it. "This looks like an  ordinary old box."

     "Yes, it's age is quite authentic. "It's been said the box will bring luck and good fortune to anyone who is willing to give it away. I must warn you. Once a person has it, it will be extremely difficult to part with it. Their lives will dramatically change.. However, the box will only be magical for its owner for a short while. He or she will have to give it away so that someone else will prosper. So you must be sure the new owner understands the conditions and consequences."

     "Something like a tradition that's passed on from generation to generation, only you don't have to wait to pass it along."

     "Exactly." Jessica smiled in approval. "If you are not happy with the box, you may return it at any time."

     "I hate spending money on an old box." She examined the box closer. "It does have a unique design on it.."

     "Oh, there isn't any charge for it. Remember if you and your friend give the box away, you are guaranteed happiness and good fortune.."

     "You know I think I'll take it.  I'm going to place little wishes inside the box for her. Thank you so much."

     "I'm sure that alone will bring her magic." Jessica smiled as she handed the girl the box. This time Jessica knew she wouldn't be getting the box back.

     

     

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

'DON'T FORGET - NO ONE ELSE SEES THE WORLD THE WAY YOU DO, SO NO ONE ELSE CAN TELL THE STORIES THAT YOU HAVE TO TELL. - Charles de Lin


Today is the day to start doing what you love. If you like to draw or paint or quilt, start something new today. Although the quote is meant to motivate writers, this can apply to all of you, no matter what your passions are.

Each of you has a story to tell. You can paint it, draw it, write it or quilt it. Same with Bubba's shrimp in Forrest Gump. There's a lot of things you can do with shrimp.

Take the flower I posted above.  If all of you wrote about what you see; what you feel .no one's creation would be the same. Isn't that kind of miraculous? As an example, we have the same components on our face: nose, eyes, lips, etc. Yet, we all look different from each other. (Except for twins, of course), but this isn't about genetics.

If I were painting this flower,  I'd paint it the way my heart feels. Shimmery, silver, glittery white against a midnight blue sky.

If I were writing a story about this flower, this would be a magical flower. Anyone who touched it would receive a special gift.

Or  I'd explain the meaning of the token of love someone gave me, pressed between the pages of my memories.

Maybe  I'd just write about Nature's perfect beauty in all its simplicity.

Allow your imagination to soar, your heart to sing and share it. There are so many people in the world who need your words of comfort; your enthusiasm to appreciate life to the fullest. They may need Your MAGIC.

Don't be afraid to express your emotions on paper or canvas. It's better than therapy, whether you're painting a picture, creating a story, or sewing a beautiful quilt of flowers.

It's great to be blogging again. Personal Writes will be on a varied schedule, but you can look forward to different postings.

Please feel free to share your creations with me and how you get motivated.

Would love to hear from you.



Blessings to All.

Jeanette


.

LIFE'S DETOURS--THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE DEAD ENDS.

Last year my publishing career as an author came to a complete stop. 

Due to a detached retina, I was unable to see, let alone write.  It was a devastating year going through the surgeries and waiting periods.

I am one of the lucky ones. My surgeries were successful and my site is now restored. It will never be the way it was, but I am blessed. I AM WRITING AGAIN. I am ecstatic.

I took my eyesight for granted. Now I know what some people go through and the helplessness they feel when they find themselves in darkness or only see shadows. It provided me with a life long lesson.

During this time I had exhausted almost every audiobook in the market. I couldn't watch television, couldn't read and couldn't write. I was bored out of my mind.

I found an old cigar box and started painting it. I blended colors and played around with it. and I made this whimsical box. I didn't use a stencil and drew it freehand. That's why it's not perfect. I couldn't believe I could do it...me who had never painted or drawn a picture in my life.

I

This led me to make more keepsake boxes. I call them Treasure Keepers by JLD Creations. Now I've expanded to cigar purses and I sell them at craft fairs. 

My loss of sight was a detour which led me to a hobby that's been therapeutic and rewarding.

I encourage all of you who have had detours to look beyond that dead end. Find something else that will make your heart sing.

Please share how you've faced challenges and how you found another road  to express yourself.

Blessings,

Jeanette