Thank you Kerry!
Hello Crystal!
A martial arts student of mine reminds me a bit of Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse Five (Kurt Vonnegut). In that novel, Billy becomes unstuck in time. He's an ordinary person who lives an extraordinary life in random order - jumping back and forth in time to experience one episode at a time. So too is the life of Crystal Sands. She started life as an ordinary child doing very well in school. A brother, a sister, and her mother's cancer later, she found herself getting a CNA license so she could help support her family and later care for her mother. She dropped out of all her honors classes so she could work two jobs and BS her way through high school. The family imploded when mom died. Crystal went off relatively penniless to live a few adventures without the benefit of parental guidance. Through those journeys, a marriage, and a child later, she became part of our martial group. Eventually cream rises. Eventually good networks are built. Eventually the diamond in the rough is discovered.
While no longer in Richmond, Crystal is slowly starting the college degree program she never had the opportunity to begin. The first semester was practically its own life adventure. For another time... What came from it was one dropped class and a handful of As. In her freshman English course, a professor asked the students to write anything they wanted - on the spot - in 15 minutes. What came out was the best piece of writing she produced all semester (and I saw all her work). Her professor read it to the class. She savored it as something meaningful to her own life. She encouraged Crystal to consider publishing it.
After much discussion, this Forum is the destination. Understand... I don't own this piece. It is what it is - Crystal's creative moment.
Enjoy.
Crystal Sands wrote:What Are You Waiting For?
Life should be limitless with no stone left unturn
Bad luck will dissipate and be ready to burn
His love for me has taught me to fly
Making my expectations reach very high
As the butterfly unfolds its fragile wings
Baring the release like a pressured spring
Away she goes to venture on
His most precious little Papillon
Her journey becomes brighter by each mile
Making it difficult not to smile
As she reaches the vortex of the great light
Obstacles between this created several fights
She is a warrior from the depths within
As ghosts and goblins wore her down paper thin
She cried, she laughed and sometimes grew numb
Only to face the struggles of whats ahead to become
Hesitation grew as her heart beat harder
Knowing the first door entrance was not much farther
The mirage of the labyrinth of life taunted her with each flap of her wing
Storms of mixed emotions and all the troubles that they bring
As the labyrinth of life grew very near
She began to tense up with confusion and fear
Flying through dark shadows of the unknown
The cries of devils through winds that blown
Tagging and pulling at her the spirits resisted
Her determination was all she persisted
Manipulation and despair tried to turn her around
Luckily she is numb and nothing will bring her down
Oh here it comes the entrance of the bright light
That grand and glorious labyrinth rewards her flight
The doors begin to open with such a broad glare
Hallways and hills of doors and windows everywhere
As she look through each distance of each path
She knew there will be a pleasant aftermath
The rule to this beautiful maze is to have no fear
For beautiful experiences are very near
Slowly she creeps up to a window and door
And with a pause the Lord spoke...What are you waiting for? ~