So sorry this is a day late—I’ve been really busy the past few days but here it is, delayed!

Last week I announced a writing competition and the requirement was to write it from the POV of an inanimate object. Grass, a sprinkler, a house, literally anything that wasn’t an animal or human. Y’all really impressed me–each snippet was really different and very creative, so GREAT JOB everybody!! Give yourself a round of applause.

*Pause for applause*

Okay, let’s get down to business: the winner of this competition. The winner wrote a really sweet and amusing snippet–are you ready to see who it is?!

Drumroll please…..

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The winner is…

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CHRISTOPHER FRANCIS!

You guys, Christopher wrote a snippet that just made me really happy and nostalgic and gave me the summer vibes! Let’s check out his snippet, Sand In Her Eyes:

Sand In Her Eyes

Here I am once again burning alive in the heat of the summer sun. All day long I am taken for granted–stepped on countless times by multitudes of noisy people, poked and prodded, beaten and packed down, used to construct castles I have no say in, didn’t ask for, and have no right to own. Even worse, I am used to bury people when the last thing I want is a reputation as an undertaker. Don’t even get me started on the mess that is left for me when the day is done–the plastic bottles, the forgotten toys, the food containers, lost shoes, discarded books, and other things too bad to mention. Never have I been treated with manners or given thanks. It’s as if I have no worth but to be used and then forgotten about. At night, I often wonder if I was made for a reason beyond being just an afterthought to a holiday or path for afternoon escape from everyday life. Can’t anyone appreciate me for just me?

Then one day changed everything and I have never been the same. It started like any other day- busy, hot, crowded with innumerable people. But that one day, and one little girl, changed my whole perspective and brought me to a new realization about myself. She appeared to be about six years old and had dusty blonde curly-hair with blue eyes that mirrored the waves of the ocean. She had come with her grandparents in the early morning. She ran around as if she had found a paradise that no words could describe. Her feet scuttled from one part of me to another with her grandparents struggling to keep up, calling for her to slow down. But innocuously she paid no heed, took off her shoes, and went on shouting and jumping with excitement and joy she couldn’t contain. Interestingly, her eyes were not on the waves or nearby rocks or even the seagulls. Her bulging eyes only focused on the ground as if she were seeing me for the first time, surprised I even existed. She kept picking me up and slowly running me through her fingers, throwing me in the air and laughing, curling her toes under me and smiling as if she knew no other emotion. Both humbled and shocked, I never felt so noticed or wanted before.

Finally, her grandparents caught up with her and with much effort coaxed her to sit down for a moment. They offered her a towel to sit on but she declined, saying she wanted to be as close to me as possible. Several minutes went by and she ignored her grandparents’ repeated pleas to view the grandeur of the ocean. With much exasperation, and confusion her grandfather put her on his lap and said, “Sandy, why don’t you look at the ocean and all of its beauty? People drive hours and spend a lot of money to be here and just see the ocean sights. Don’t you like the ocean, dear?”

A few moments went by before Sandy replied quietly and innocently without taking her eyes off of me: “Oh Grandpa, the ocean is very pretty and nice but everyone looks at that. But no one pays any attention to the grains of sand. Each one is so special and lovely but no one notices it.” Her grandfather gave her a quizzical look and asked her what she meant.

“Don’t you see? Without the sand and all it provides, we would not enjoy the ocean for we wouldn’t be able to get near it. The sand gives us a place to not be afraid of the waves and we never even think about it.” Her grandfather smiled at Sandy in awe of her wisdom, hugged her closely, and thought for the first time how appropriately she had been named.

Now, thanks to this one little girl, I know longer lament my purpose. I know the reason I was made and am content. Sandy was the first person to truly appreciate me and love me for me; as far as I am concerned, I don’t even care if she is the last.

This is probably one of my favorite snippets that’s won a snippet competition–great job and congrats Christopher! Your prize is…bragging rights! And now you are added onto my page of Writing Competition Spotlights!

Make sure to check out Christopher Francis’s blog, The Ploys of Heaven!

Thanks for reading and for those of you who submitted snippets–great job and thank you!! I loved reading them all and you guys did a fantastic job.

Alright, happy summer!!
~Willow <3