IJ readers share short tales of soul searching
IJ readers share short tales of soul-searching
As October approaches, there’s a lot on our minds. The holiday season — Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s — will look a lot different this year. So will Election Day.
The first holiday, Halloween, is all about fear. But many see this year’s election, and the potential formore divisiveness and even violence, as something to be fearful of. So it seems like a good time to address our deepest fears.
They don’t have to be about holidays or elections, more about whatever is keeping you up at night.
For October, please share with the IJ a six-word story — just one — about your biggest fear. Please make it a story with a beginning, middle and end, and not just six adjectives— make us laugh or cry or at the very least feel something. It does not need to rhyme; in fact, it’s better if it doesn’t.
If you want your story to run in the IJ, please follow these simple requests:
• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line
• Send one story. Just one • Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email (not in the subject line)
• Write your short story in the body of the email (not in the subject line or in an attachment)
• Use proper punctuation and don’t hyphenate words that shouldn’t be hyphenated, and vice versa (please check a dictionary)
• Use correct spelling (please check a dictionary)
• Send your story in sentence case — not in all caps or lowercase — and in one line
• Send your six-word story to lifestyles@marinij.com by Oct. 16 with “Six-Word Story” in the subject line. Then look for your story in the Oct. 27 lifestyles section and online.
Last month we asked people to share with the IJ what they learned about themselves during these challenging times. Here’s what they had to say.
Atonement? Asking forgiveness isn’t enough. Demonstrate. — Susan Mines, Terra Linda
So much time wasted, forgive my self. — Caprice Toledo, Novato
“Daylight dawns, memories surface, begging forgiveness.”
— Gailya Magdalena,
Lucas Valley
I don’t believe everything I think. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael
Take something for granted? Never again. — Dona Novack, San Rafael
Compassion’s been magnified by my mistakes. — Jeri Sternenberg, Mill Valley
Let life’s roadblocks show new paths. — Nancy Gibbs, Novato
Words spoken. Words not spoken: Sorry. —
Kathy Barrass San Rafael
Atonement is a time for reflection. — David Leipsic, San Rafael
I wish I had listened more. — Anne DeveroRosenfeld, Mill Valley
Wake up, question myself about intentions. — Colleen Joyce, San Rafael
Child abuse, many years, now forgiven. — Mary Vezie, Mill Valley
Regrets open the door for change. — Pat Hager, Mill Valley
Relationships deepened with sisters and brother. — Cynthia Motsinger, Novato
Daylight dawns, memories surface, begging forgiveness — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley
Composure is always the best answer. — Kyle Winters, Corte Madera
Enjoy now; this is all we’ve got. — Charlotte Winters, Corte Madera
Make time, it will pay off. — DavidWinters,
Corte Madera
Cosmically following my heart to you. — Susan Bishop Chukerman, Novato
Ultimately, America’s malevolent despot must atone. — Pati Stoliar, Corte Madera
Look for silver lining, it’s there. — Sharon Eide, Novato
Where am I? Middle of change. — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur
Acceptance and courage needed right now. — Cece Jonsen, Novato
Zigged instead of zagged past Earth. — Monte Summers, Fairfax
Stay home. Create memories. Happy grandchildren. — Cristy Pollak, Novato
Consider the facts before you leap. — Marty Barry, Novato
Purging files, realized I hoard papers. — Karin Granados, San Rafael
Atone for disgust for Trump? Unlikely. — David Curtis, Novato
Simple living, enjoying my Marin neighborhood. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael
Regardless of Covid, life is full. — Sharon McCloskey, Novato
Should have driven; instead walked miles. — Barbara O’Brien, San Anselmo
Societies advance by adapting not coping. — Raymond Lent, San Rafael
Do your best, need no atoning. — Marty Komitopoulos, San Rafael
Reduce plastic dependency; save the oceans. — Leslie Purdy, Novato
Learning to live and let live. — Madeline Kellner, Novato
All we have is the present. — Sarah Weller Leipsic, San Rafael
Sincere atonement brings peace and forgiveness. — Jeff Greendorfer, Novato
Regrets expressed, forgiveness showing, gratitude flowing. — Blair Ogden, San Rafael
I finally appreciate what I had. — Jeffrey Dake, San Rafael
My dog prefers me to telework. — Elizabeth Digan, Novato
Needed knowledge: studied, listened, getting woke. — Ruby Unger, Mill Valley
Sgt. Blasi resigned. Change does happen. — Karen Theisen, Novato
I have learned to be forgiving. — Marie Lazzari, Novato
Providing psychotherapy, helping clients, saving me. — Paula Sitelman, Corte Madera
I arrived noisily and left quietly. — Ridge Lundwall, San Anselmo
Live life. Learn. Let go. Remember. — Gael Chandler, Novato
Grateful for Zoom, Netflix, outdoor cocktails. — Mary Lou Hayward, Novato
Grateful for each other, family, health. — Peter B. Hayward, Novato
I’m sorry, Please forgive me, Thanks. — Harriett Michael, San Rafael
Dictator, pandemic, fires; I’m still alive. — Katherine Ware, Belvedere
Always do what brings you joy. — VictoriaWorch, Novato
Dad’s gone; I should’ve done more. — Carla Twitchell, Novato
Slow down and pet the cats. — Martin Russell, Mill Valley
I forgive myself for not forgiving. — Karen Arnold, San Rafael
Harvest, time for introspection. Listening better. — Stacy Burroughs, San Anselmo
Giving my leaves a regular blow. — Mary Geving, Woodacre
Forgiveness is liberating. Just do it. — Irene Tabet, Mill Valley
My regrets? Too few to mention. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City
Diagnosed with cancer, life isn’t over. — Diana Meyer, San Anselmo
Disappointed my son. Now I’m reforming. — Lee Eckles, Santa Venetia
Being retired, sequestration isn’t so bad. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield
COVID-19 pounds, am now slimming down. — Mary Anne Daly, Mill Valley
Holy pandemic, try some Jewish penicillin. — Michael C. Vogel, Mill Valley
Remember, we’re all in this together. — Lynn Ireland, San Rafael
How precious life itself really is. — Rick Schooley, San Rafael
My Alaska fishing trip received cancellation. — Kenneth Philo, San Rafael
Discipline I learned in the Marines. — Jim Koger, San Rafael
God, please forgive your imperfect creation. — Phyllis Eisenman-Lampert Sausalito
As a Jew, it’s notWWII. — Sharon Cushman, San Rafael
Fearing flying, missed Canadian grandson visit. — Barbara Rowe, Mill Valley
Isolation is comfortable but not healthy. — Shirley McGrath, Santa Venetia
Found great joy in spreading cheer. — Ruby Unger, Mill Valley
Pray for peace, love, kindness, empathy. — Joanne Vidinsky, Kentfield
A heart flush with hope, floats. — Brin Moore, Mill Valley
I am happiest when I’m gardening. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato
Slow down, forgive generously, love wastefully. — Caroline McKinnon, Novato
Enjoying being in the now; surprised. — Vina Daniels, Novato
Searching for a pastor was successful. — William Nicholson, Ross
Coffee, hike and gardening before laundry. — Sandy Grimshaw, Marinwood
Painting, volunteering, cooking; my world continues.— Dini Freeman, San Rafael
I’ve learned to show more gratitude. — Billie Forer, San Rafael
Writing autobiography; nowmake those calls.— JoLynn Taylor, San Anselmo
Sadness motivates reflecting sunlight inward — hope. — Pamela Hubbard, San Rafael
Sins of commission, sins of omission. — Gail Cassee, Mill Valley
Without a last minute, nothing accomplished. — Alexa Witter, Novato.
“Stay home. Create memories. Happy grandchildren.” — Cristy Pollak, Novato
“Sincere atonement brings peace and forgiveness.”
— Jeff Greendorfer, Novato