The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles. Sadly, Delores has now closed her blog forever due to other problems.
The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.
If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along to read it and add a few encouraging words.
This month the words/prompts are supplied by ME and can be found right here
This week's words/prompts are: a single sentence:
" with that single statement, he steamrollered my happiness right into the ground"
here is my story:
I burst through the door, so full of giddy excitement I thought I would explode. Daddy was visiting today and here was my chance to show him just how well I had been doing in school. I skidded to a stop in the kitchen and there he was, the same stern, forbidding face I remembered. Knowing he didn't like to be suddenly hugged by surprise, I walked over, holding out my test paper with the gold star on the top corner. "Look Daddy. I got a 98%, the highest mark in the whole class!"
He glanced at the paper then looked at me. "only 98%? Where did you go wrong?"
With that single statement, he steamrollered my happiness right into the ground.
I shuffled off to my room to change my clothes. I knew we would all go out for pizza, as we always did when he came to visit, but I wouldn't enjoy it this time. I made up my mind to ask him not to visit me anymore. His new wife didn't like me anyway.
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Oh River.
ReplyDeleteI remember being asked about the missing two percent as well. (And once about the missing one percent). Definitely deflating.
This is so sad, and sadly so real too often.
Elephant's Child; in my case it was my mum who said it, but not to me, to one of the step siblings.
DeleteThe disappointment and hurt felt was palpable, River. Well done.
ReplyDeleteLee; thank you, I hoped the feeling would come through.
DeletePerfect use of the prompt but so painful. I felt it clear over here.
ReplyDeleteArkansas Patti; definitely a heart breaking moment.
DeleteThis brings back memories. Yes, nothing was good enough. So sad. My heart aches for all of the children who live (and who lived) this reality.
ReplyDeletemessymimi; too many parents expect perfection. Do they not remember their own school days?
DeleteWow, this is so sad. And mean. And clever.
ReplyDeleteIris Flavia; thank you, I'm glad you saw the meaning and sadness.
DeleteOh my, that is sad..
ReplyDeleteMargaret D; it is sad when a child tries so hard and all the parent can see is the missed mark.
DeleteWow. That was beautifully written, and the child's crushed feelings came across vividly. (My guess is that because you captured the situation so perfectly, you've either experienced or observed it first-hand. Either way, great job.) Parents who treat their children like that either don't care or don't realize how devastating their behavior is, or how many years it takes for their children to get beyond the pain... if they ever do. You could've been writing about my father, and it took me a looooong time to stop trying to please him. It was an impossible task.
ReplyDeleteTake care, and have a super weekend.
Susan; thank you. not myself, but seen first hand, said to a step sibling, by my mother.
DeleteNot fair. Our expression for a person like that is "Dreamcrusher!"
ReplyDeleteVal; that's a good expression. The world is full of dreamcrushers.
Delete