I love you all my Wednesday Word Tribe and I’m grateful for all of you who are still subscribed as I navigate this space of publishing my writing less. I stress publishing as opposed to writing because I continue to write, almost daily.
One of my followers and friends, Rush (click her name to check out her page) shared some writing prompts from another page ‘ggreneewrites’ on Instagram one day. It has changed my life in that those prompts push my writing and give me space to hone that skill.
I’m compelled to share what I wrote for today’s prompt with you. Yes, I’m aware it’s Tuesday but I couldn’t wait to share. Patience is a virtue I continue to learn daily.
Please do not hesitate to tell me what you think about this piece. I really really really want to know what it makes you feel.
I remember once while living with my dad and grandma. My dad wasn’t speaking to me and he knew I left the house and went out and he turned the porch light off so when I got back after 1 in the morning, it was dark and I struggled to get inside. Another time it happened but it was around 9 PM and that decision to turn the porch light off said a lot to me about how he felt about me. I hadn’t left the house for maybe more than a half hour when he decided to turn the lights off on me. It felt like he turned the lights off on our relationship.
Leaving the porch light on for someone is a small act but it’s impact though understated is powerful. It says I want you to get in this house safely, it says even if I’m not awake when you return, here’s how I’ll show up for you. My father hasn’t showed up for me very often in this lifetime. He’s turned his back on me many times and it’s been easy for him, just like flicking the light switch.
On the flip side, I’ve had many people leave the figurative and literal porch light on for me because they love me. It hasn’t been easy for them to turn their back on me.
It’s Valentine’s Day and I felt a huge sense of apathy towards the day when I woke up. I felt like romantic love evades me time after time but then a thoughtful gesture from a friend reminded me that I am deeply surrounded by love and that love lives here. I exist in a place of generous and abundant love. I am reminded of all the small yet meaningful ways that I’ve been loved.
Love is leaving the porch light on.
For those of you who are interested, here’s the list of writing prompts for this month, she publishes new ones each month.
I love being inlove but I don't always love, love. That feeling of being shut out makes love hard and sometimes dreadful. I'm thankful for this reminder that love exists in other places outside of romantic love and should be cherished just as much. I am reminded my friends not only taught me what real unconditional love feels like, they taught me how to embrace it, and how to withhold it from those who didn't deserve it. <3
🥲 My porch light is always on when times are dark and you feel like coming in for some respite or just a chat.
Bless