The Pink Journal

Ester ran into the cottage soaking wet from the pouring rain. She slammed the door and leaned against it.

“Where have you been, my child?” The old woman by the fire asked.

“I was out for a walk, Granny.” Ester wiped her face with her hands. “I was caught by the rain.”

“So I can see from that puddle growing at your feet.” The old woman pointed at the water on the floor. “Were you walking alone? You seem upset.”

“I… Granny! I am a grown woman.” Ester said as she moved away from the door.

“That is not what I asked you.” Granny wiggled her finger at her granddaughter. “Change out of those wet things and sit with me next to the fire. We can talk about who it is that you were walking with.”

“Granny, I didn’t say that I was walking with anyone.” Ester started to walk toward her bedroom but jumped as soon as someone started knocking loudly at the door.

“You might as well answer the door, my child, the truth is furiously knocking.” Granny grinned.

Ester sighed and opened the door. A tall dark man, just as wet as Ester, pushed his way inside.

“My darling, I’m should never have said what I did to you it was thoughtless and cruel.” The man put his hands on Ester’s shoulders. “I beg you to forgive me.” 

“What is your name young man?” Granny asked.

The young man was startled by the question. “I am Winston Hollows, madam. I thought Ester lived here alone.”

“She doesn’t.” Granny squinted at the young man. “Aren’t you a little far from the manor house?”

“Yes madam. I am sorry to intrude but I must speak with Ester in private.”

“What did you say to her to make her run out into that storm?” Granny stood up and grabbed her cane. “You have a carriage you could have brought her home properly.”

“I told her that I couldn’t marry her.” Winston hung his head in shame. “My father won’t allow it.”

“I see then she has no reason to forgive you if you don’t love her enough to make her your wife.” Granny started to walk closer to them. “You made promises that you had no intention of keeping and you are a cad. Now she knows your truth. Leave here and never come back.”

“Granny! Please!” Ester looked at Winston. “If you love me as much as you say you do then we can elope tomorrow. If you are too afraid to be your own man then leave and never come back.” Ester opened the door.

Winston nodded a goodnight to them both and left.

Ester waited three days for Winston to come to her then she closed her heart forever.   

“Bob, let me look at the map.” Susy sat down her backpack and held out her hand for the large unwieldy paper map. “I’m sure it’s around here somewhere.”

“There is no such place as Land of the Living Virgin Lookout. You brother is just messing with you.” Bob handed over the map. “If there is then it’s in another state park. It’s not on any trail listed on that map.”

Susy glared at him over the map. “You’re wrong. It’s right here.” Susy showed him on the map. “It’s right here where the waterfall comes off of the mountain.”

“That’s not it. That’s Make Out Point.” Bob looked at the map. “What the … well I’ll be damned. It is.”

“Told you!” Susy folded the map. “Now come on and let’s find the sign so we can prove it.”

“Then can we, maybe, make out a little?” Bob asked as he followed her up the trail

“Maybe.” Susy grinned as she walked a little faster.

All good things come to those who wait or so they say. But why should we have to wait? Patience is a virtue but it is not the way to get what you want.

If you want something you have to go after it. You have to work for it. The universe is not going to bring it to you while you stand there patiently waiting for that good thing to come to you.

You must be proactive in what you want. You must control when and how something good comes to you. If you don’t, it will never come.

“Did you read the spell right because this doesn’t look like a wall of ice?” Trix the cat asked the little witch standing over the huge tome of spells. “It kinda looks like ice cream.”

“Um.” The little witch looked at the book again. “Oh! Oh no! It is ice cream.”

“So make it disappear.” Trix poked her finger in and scooped out some and licked her finger. “Do you know how to make it disappear?”

“Yes! Go get the others and a lot of spoons.” The little witch knew that was the best way for the mistake to be fixed was with a little help from her friends.  

I bend, I do not break
I sway, I do not crumple
I twist, I do not rip
I bow, I do not crack
I am the bamboo with whistling leaves
I bend, I do not break
I give, I do not shatter
I rebound, I do not fall
I am strong, I am not weak
I am the reed at the water’s edge
I bend, I do not break
Test me, I will not fail
Push me, I push back
Crush me, I will rise
I am the young sapling with branches high
Because I bend I will never break!