I have several entries stuck in a worn edition of 300 Writing Prompts that I will share during the #AtoZChallenge.
The one is in response to the prompt: It is the end of your career and you are up on stage being presented with a major award. What award is it, and what have you won it for? Global pandemics tend to shed a different light on such topics.
But I wrote this response long before the COVID took hold.
I think it’s good to reflect on such things. My day will someday come. The thought now is, what will I do between then and now? Plenty. And some of nothing. And a lot that can’t be classified as either.
My end of career award(s)
I hope there are plenty of years between now and then! I might not even have started my life’s work. But if I had to choose today, here are possibilities:
1. Lowest percentage of books finished to books started
This goes for those read and those written. All those forgotten bookmarks. I have an NFL history book, two fiction pieces and the adventures of Jamal Tamal to get writing.
2. Cheese enchilada lifetime achievement
A lifetime of dedication, ordering them from coast to coast, always respectful of local tradition and customs, always, ALWAYS, de queso. Aye carajo!
3. Best seasons with the most losses
Yep. That’s my happy team. We’ve forgotten that 10-1 drubbing we took. Maybe it’s a love of the game, or of each other. Or getting enchiladas afterward.
4. Most combined blog references to Kesha/disc golf/dodgers hate
God bless #merica. Kesha isn’t as prominent around here lately, I haven’t thrown a disc since the Spanish Flu, and I love that the dodgers aren’t winning a THING right now.
5. Helped to raise 3 bad mama jamas
I’m well on my way to this one. Perhaps my lifetime achievement, if you discount the record for fourth-place ribbons won in elementary school track meets.
What about you? What would your award be for?
#AtoZChallenge
A is for Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, Adam and Avril, and Amidala
B is for Bonnie Marie Williams, voiceover superhero, a #GirlsRock interview
C is for Conversations, Camdyn and cookies (#GratitudeAndShit)
D is for Dorsey Standish, yoga teacher and mindfulness coach, for #GirlsRock
-30-
Just a dad ... 
i might win the ‘somehow i helped my 3 girls grow and become good adults despite life circumstances and me stumbling my way through parenting by trial and error’ award.
and ‘flamin’ hot cheetos speed eating’ award .
That’s a huge award, that. And the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos award could go to no one but you, in my eyes.
🔥
Lol at the picture at the top!
Is there an award for champion-worrier-over-most-random-nonsense? Then I’m in the running for that!
I felt quite boasty for snapping that pic, Anthea, and felt it might make my home a target of thieves in the neighborhood, who would bypass my TV to get to it, but it had to be done!
Well, I do believe there’s a category for that. My hope is that you fall out of the running for it sooner than later.
These are great! I would say my award would be “Saved the LEAST amount of money by thrifting her wardrobe” Hahaha!
You’re a LEGEND at the fly look through thrifting, Beth. So that’s a distinction I think you’d be welcome to take!
Ufff! A very tough question, especially because I’m pretty bad at endings. I’m usually great at improvisation, starting new projects, creating stuff, but endings make me suffer. No surprise that the only 3 short stories I’ve ever finished have open and a bit ambiguous endings. No golden pot at the end of the rainbow.
About my personal goals, ending the gazillion open projects could be awesome: About 5 or 6 stories I’m writing, and crocheted scarves, umbrellas and a blanket which will celebrate 2 years in construction, hi hi.
Also, watching my kids grow up to have their own careers and families, fulfilling their dreams; maybe helping my daughter as an assistant when she has her own vet clinic.
I don’t think much of endings, because new things always seem to be starting around, with or without me wanting it.
I like these projects! Truth be told, this post originally was end-of-life awards. I had it that way until 5 minutes before posting time. I decided to soften it, given the world’s circumstances.
I tend to think as you do, in that there are far more beginnings to endings. But I’d like to have a few wrap-ups of those wonderful starts! Just a few.
Interesting. You´re right, with the global events, end of life topics are something people would love to avoid these days. Mother in law tends to think it´s like a bad omen to talk about it. Luckily I don´t think like this, or I would have to change my topic. And I hope when one day I host my own end-of-life awards, to get many of those golden trophies.
I have a feeling you’ll have an armload!
Hmm, most patience with a difficult to deal with in-law? ‘Cause i’m in the running.
That one is made of pure gold.
Aw, I love your last award. What a fun idea for a post!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks Lauren – that one’s my favorite too.