Fallen Half

Joy sat in the pew staring apathetically at the coffin that caressed her grandma. When she first received the apologetic news, she felt overwhelming angst to the point that she was inconsolable. 

            Joy was absolutely enamored with her grandma ever since she was born. As a baby when she would cry, her grandma would rock her in her red wooden rocking chair so passionately that she would fall asleep every time.  

            Joy felt jaded and powerless to carry on without her grandma; her other half. The only thing that pulled her through each day was the memories of her grandma she had repeating in her mind. 

Her beautiful grandma was always bubbly and joyous no matter the circumstances. Her embarrassed smile could be mistaken to be lewd when she blushed after doing something facetious. Her candid personality caused her to be a little credulous at times, but it was always with the best intentions. 

Since her grandma’s passing, Joy has simply been going through the motions of life. She hasn’t been bellicose but she has been easily annoyed. At times when she used to get excited and loudly express it, she now seems to be introverted instead. 

Who can blame her? A grandmother to one person can be just a grandmother. To Joy, a grandmother was a best friend.

 



--Stevie

What are Boyfriends Good For?

What are boyfriends really good for?

Pretending to listen to you?
 Scattering their stuff all over your room?
"Jokingly" calling your small dog a rat?
Grabbing at their manhood as to check to see if all are accounted for? Awkward.

With boyfriends come quirks that aren't always appeasing. So remind me why we love our boyfriends so dearly?

Oh, that's right! This is why:

Where I live, the weather changes faster than a pregnant woman's hormones. The morning will be sunny and beautiful and in two hours it looks like an apocalypse is beginning.

So when I witnessed a boyfriend piggy backing his girlfriend to the car after class, in order to rescue her cute shoes from the flooded ground, I instantly remembered why boyfriends are so great.

Boyfriends are good for:

Holding your purse even when he's in front of all his buds.
Making you feel beautiful when you feel the ugliest.
Surprising you with flowers when it's...why?...oh yeah, no reason at all.
Sitting patiently in front of the mirror with you while you curl your hair.
Going on midnight walks with you when you're stressed and need to clear your head.
Reminding you that you're not alone in this scary world.
                                and of course,
Carrying you through the rain so your shoes don't get wet.


So thank you boyfriends, for being our best friends.

 
 
 
--Stevie

Ice Cream on the Inside

          As I was leaving a convenient store, I noticed the cashier taking a bite of ice cream hidden behind the counter between each customer. The cashier was a fairly overweight female. Shamefully, I'll admit that my first thought was, can she not even wait until she checks everyone out before eating? I know, I know; how ugly of me. So I changed my perspective and realized that perhaps...

This woman might have been fit and beautiful years ago. She probably had boys flocking to her like no one's business. Anything could have happened to cause her to gain weight: children, injury or illness, stress, trauma. Whatever it was probably made her lose whatever positive ego she had. Perhaps, insecurities became her closest enemy.

She might have lost a boyfriend she planned on spending the rest of her life with because he wasn't willing to tolerate her weight. This occurrence could have only pushed the insecurity knife deeper into her mind.

One day, when all her hope for love had evaporated, she could have ran into one man who finally saw her internal beauty over her external appearance. Perhaps, they're married by now and she could be happier with herself than she ever was before. She found a man who loves her soul and finds every part of her beautiful. Therefore, if she wants to eat ice cream between each customer, my gosh let her have at it!

But, then again, she could just like ice cream...





--Stevie

New Best Friend

While sipping coffee at my university, I heard an innocent giggle a couple tables over. It was a young female, small stature, with the purest smile. I wondered what she was so happy-go-lucky about.

Maybe she saw something funny. Maybe she got an A on her last test. Or maybe she just gained a new friendship.

She may have fought for years with someone she felt was an interloper in her life; someone that was brought into her life without her permission. 

"I do," her mom said.
"I do," her new step-dad replied.

This girl might have fought for years with this new family member. Actually in her mind, this person was anything but a family member. He came into her mom's life which she felt pushed her to the side. Resentment, frustration, and anger swam through her veins when this stranger set foot in her territory.

Years later and a lot of growing up might have brought her uncomfortably close to this "family stranger." In times when she least expected anything from him, he propably offered her more support than her own mother could. This man loved this girl's mom but that couldn't have been possible without him loving her too.

This girl probably capitulated and finally viewed this stranger as her step-dad, but she not dare let him in on the secret! No, she must keep her guard up.

Through mother-daughter arguments when surely her step-dad would take her mother's side, he stayed neutral. Through middle school drama to choosing a university, he helped advise her when life felt the hardest. Through teenage breakups and insecure nights, he was always there to reassure her that it was "their loss."

This man was no family stranger. This man was no step-father, either. This man, he is a best friend.

There are no more guards blocking her heart. She is fully aware that he loves her unconditionally, and the best part is he knows she feels the same towards him.

This giggle from a sweet soul might have been because she gained a special relationship with someone that no one else will ever compare to. But, then again, she could just be a happy girl.



--Stevie