I am back to working on the book. This is not part of the book but an exercise to keep me writing and blogging! Thanks for your support!
Lynn
The crescent moon kissed the sultry air over a dark Palouse sky, the loud roar of equipment could be heard throughout the neighborhood. A wave of frustration and a feeling that once again I had no control over my own life crashed around me. It was a school night and approaching 10 p.m. in our quiet residential area. This was the place we called home, keeping up our yard, making improvements, striving to be good members of this rural community.
I boldly called to him repeatedly but could not be heard over the chugging of a large digging apparatus that scooped up earth and rocks, depositing them into a truck. Tears stung my eyes as I stood near the stairs that lead to the vacant lot, calling until he finally looked my way. He nodded and waved turning back to the operator of the machinery making gestures that indicated the job was still not complete. My words had turned into clay, stone and dust, tumbling effortlessly into a predictable void.
He claimed that I was too concerned about other people, caring more about their boundaries and rights than his own. Years were spent weighing the benefit of utterances against the reality that what I said would most certainly be defied and vehemently opposed, placing me front and center to watch as his plan unfolded. When I told the children to stay next to me and out of the street, he insisted that they walk away on their own and go as they pleased. If I told them something was dangerous, he encouraged them to complete their action. A tug of war ensued and I stepped in boldly only when the children’s safety was a concern.
Our lives had come full circle from a stifling and oppressive existence to a guarded freedom and now within one month back to a total lack of autonomy. The sting of his hand on my back only days before still reverberated through our home and served as a reminder of the consequences for insubordination. A wave of anger washed over my body and forced me to raise my volume, calling his name until I had his full attention. For years I cowered as he reprimanded me for speaking out or communicating my opinion but now it could no longer be quieted with mere threats.
I looked at him and heard my voice bellow down the hill, STOP, IT IS TOO LATE STOP!
What a difficult man and marriage. I am sorry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cindy! I second guess everything I do, I worry about what I say and how I raise the kids. I can now see why! If I told them not to do something, he was sure to insist they do it. I stood up for my kids and protected them the best I could. So, I do feel good about that, I tried xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have done all your best, for all of you Lynn. Also for the monster in much too many years…
I really hope for you, that you will find the needed peace and never will be disturbed again, so you will be able to live your own life in peace, which you so absolutely need after the years with the monster.
You have been both very loving and also very brave, otherwise you would not have survived your nightmare for so many years.
Send you big hugs, dear sister and wishes for peace for all of your beautiful family ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks dearest sister! You understand completely xoxoxoxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, peace is life after living in Hell ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes for sure!!!! xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think no one who did not experience that humiliation and oppression for so many years can understand how much courage it needed to come to that point where you called him to “stop”!
LikeLiked by 3 people
yes it is hard but sounds simple. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true!!!
LikeLike
You are such a good writer – I am glad you are back at your book!!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jodi! I have settled down a bit and feel less anxious and am trying! xoxoxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful healing words! Love you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alice! Love you too xxx
LikeLike
Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
xxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you’ve tweaked my curiosity. It was too late for what?
Leslie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh for this work! He insisted on doing what I said please do not do. He hired someone to come and grade the lot and insisted that it go on into the night
LikeLiked by 1 person
One HARD HEADED man. Oh Lynn, that is just so $#@%*&&^%$. (Whatever that was, it wasn’t very nice)
LikeLiked by 2 people
haha thanks so much Leslie! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
This gave me the chills, Lynn, but how prophetic were those words that you were finally able to bellow. Your writing continues to be gripping and beautifully crafted. Hugs, my friend. You deserved them. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so very much Diana!! xxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck working on your book, Lynn! Your writing is always good to read, even when it is about your struggles and pain. Your audience is with you and wishing you all the best.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Cynthia! I have missed you! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! I was away from blogging for a few months and I missed you too xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, powerful words – you are an excellent writer Lynn. Keep it going. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much dear Terry xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good girl…I was wondering when she was going to come out….keep writing let this out…..it has to be healthy, not only for you but as a family…..of course it not included….keep standing tall….and never stop smiling….see this summer….xxxxx…..xxxxxx…..xxxxxx kat
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much dearest! I can’t wait sister! xoxoxoxo
LikeLike
Such a monster, an IDIOT! You had always and will continue to do the very best by the children (and grand babies) Lynn-we know that! Hugs xoxoxoxo b-2
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks sweet Cheryl xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
xoxo b-2
LikeLike
xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best thing ever was when you finally re-found your voice. Bravo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Peggy!
LikeLike
YES! Your voice!!!!! YES!!!
LikeLike
I’m so happy to hear/read you found your voice!
Keep writing I’ll keep reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Deborah! I will do my best xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post is so compelling. How hard yet liberating that night must have been. Phrophetic words….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes so true! Thanks Bernadette! xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
So hard to break free. But it WAS too late, thank goodness! (K(
LikeLike
Your writing is beautiful and moving. I do know how hard it was for those words to come out. That truly was a powerful moment for you! Hugs!!!
LikeLike
Keep it up, Lynn! You have a gift for beautiful writing and your story is so engaging. Good luck with the book 🙂
LikeLike
Coming over from the Senior Salon. Great writing, Lynn. I guess when we write from the heart and from experience it is the best way to write. Hard words to read but harder to live if this was a true incident.
LikeLike
Hi Lynn, glad to see that your back to writing! You are indeed a strong person and I believe with a beautiful soul which he tried to crush but in the end he is the one who lost as you have the love and support of family and friends….big hugs to you💕
LikeLike
Thanks so much Marisa xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
😘😘😘
LikeLike
He is a person that always has to prove he has power. I don’t know how you endured his ire. You are so much better off without him. You’re a strong woman and a good mother, Lynn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so very much! That means allot to me, hearing those words. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are doing well
LikeLike
Lynz, my heart goes out to you…I’m so glad you found the strength to leave and you are all safe now. This is so well-written, from the heart and taking me along with your pain until your final words!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to read your book when it comes out. Your words describing it is still feels raw and real. I know it was a painful experience and journey, but I hope writing the book will help with the healing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so very much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lyn, you say this is an exercise. In that vein, may I offer some critical feedback? (Which, btw, I am always hoping for with the story on my blog because I know we all get too caught up in our own words to see other ways to move them around 🙂
I love, love, love your opening line. It provides a location, but so much more in mood and evocative words like “crescent” and “sultry” that cast my mind eastward.
Have you thought of rephrasing this: The chugging of a large digging apparatus that scooped earth and rocks and dumped them into a truck drowned out my calls to to him.
My words were clay, stone and dust, tumbling effortlessly into a predictable void. (I love this, btw, just feel it could be stronger :-).
Years went into weighing the benefit of my utterances against the reality that whatever I said would be vehemently opposed, rendering me the helpless audience as his plan unfolded.
The sting of his hand on my back only days before still reverberated through our home, a reminder of the consequences for insubordination.
For years I had cowered as he reprimanded me for speaking out, for communicating my opinion, but now I could no longer be quieted with mere threats.
I so love your story and applaud your determination to confront everything that it takes to tell it. Keep at it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much for all of your amazing suggestions! So very kind xxx
LikeLike
Meant in the best spirit! And hoping for reciprocal. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
So nice of you to take your time to help xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you still taking classes?
LikeLike
Your writing is getting stronger as your voice is becoming more your own, Lynn. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
The word STOP says it all. You were coming into your own. xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good for you!! You are woman- hear you roar!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I “liked” my way down the comments, I realize that all I can really add is DITTO! Keep writing – and keep sharing your excerpts and out-takes on the Senior Salon.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so welcome. Happy belated Earth Day.
xx,
mgh
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The camel’s back can only take so many straws. The one too many looms, I think. Keep going my dear friend …. your telling of this fearful story is gripping. I send you love xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much dear xxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am still shaking my head. He was determined always to undermine you, no matter what you said even if it were for the children’s safety..It almost sounds as if it was done out of spite, to let everyone know ‘who was boss’.
Good for you that you kept on bellowing….there comes a time where you have to stamp you feet and say dammit, I am going to be heard and I do not care about the consequences !
LikeLike
Thank heaven your children had you to protect them from that madman!
You are so brave and such a wonderful writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Carole xxx
LikeLike
Enough is definitely enough at this point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes so true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whew! Another incredible piece Lynz. Your words are so powerful and filled with such imagery that I can literally see this in my mind.
LikeLike
Incredibly gripping but sad that this is based on fact rather than fiction. How’s your writing progressing Lynz?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi have had a few weeks of doing nothing. I hope to get back to writing. Thanks for asking and for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person