This evening I have been looking for writing prompts for the Story Circle Network e-circle group of which I am a member. I volunteered to come up with the monthly prompts and other people in the group volunteered to facilitate the group on a monthly basis. One of the writing prompts I found is the following: Pretend you’re on a five-mile run and at every mile marker there is a photo of someone in your past that is cheering you on. Call out a brief thank you to them as you run by and describe how you feel as you cross the finish line.

Here’s what I wrote:

1) My mother: Thank you, Mom, for “seeing” me so that I felt connected, valued and loved, and for providing such a wonderful role model for aging well and living life until the very last second.

2) My father: Thank you, Papa, for loving me so unconditionally. Your presence stays with me everyday and I do my best to pass on to those I love that same kind of pure love you gave to me.

3) My husband: Thank you, Ray, for pushing me to get in touch with the full range of my emotions (aka anger) and to never be afraid to admit when I have screwed up and am imperfect.

4) My daughters: Thank you, Sarah, Liz and Rachael, for keeping me honest, pushing me to grow and loving me just the way I am.

5) My grandkids: Thank you Luna, Nico and Lyla for letting me love you and loving me back. Your presence makes my life a thousand times better.

I feel happy crossing the finish line knowing I have all of these people supporting me. I also know that these five photographs (and 9 people) are only a few of the many folks in my life who have encouraged me and have kept me moving forward. I have a multitude of family members, friends, students, teachers, priests, and fellow writers who have held me close to their hearts and cheered me along life’s path.

I suddenly am deeply aware of how fortunate I am to have such a cheering section around me.

Thank you all for being so generous with your support and caring.