100-Word Challenge for Grown Ups
100WCGU
100-Word Challenge for Grown Ups is a challenge provided by Julia, who also manages the 100-Word Challenge and the 5-Sentence Challenge for kids from around the world. Her work with children has been recognized as Runner-Up for most influential blog of the year in the Education Blogs Award 2012, at which time the judges said:
“Countless class blogs enter the 100wc challenges each week. This site makes the most of a very simple idea – 100 word challenges – and has created an international creative community in the process.”
High praise, indeed, and much deserved. I have seen the entries of many children, and this is a challenge they love to take part in.
For us, the Grown Ups, this week’s prompt is:
…together the flames…
I stood at the communion rail, waiting for the bride and groom to enter the church. I had performed so many of these weddings, and this was one more in which the symbolism seemed particularly archaic.
As I began the wedding service, I dreaded what was coming. The bride and groom removed candles from their respective sides of the altar, came forward, and together, their flames lit the wedding candle. Just fine, so far as that went. But then, they each blew out their own candle. I thought, bitterly, ” And so, they surrender their individuality.” I couldn’t see this marriage lasting. Mine never did; those candles just don’t work.
Gosh so people actually do that?blowing out their own candle? that sound really negative and divided. I very much enjoyed this.
Thanks — they really do, more than you would even imagine. Usually first time marriages — most who’ve been married before don’t even do the candle thing. Thanks for the comment!
Oh, how sad. I hope the couple proves the narrator wrong.
When I was performing marriage ceremonies, as pastor of a small church, I did everything I could to help couples avoid that self-snuffing practice — even light the candle and leave the others burning. Often they did, but sometimes…
Lol. “Mine never did.”
I thought candles were just for singing “Happy Birthday’”? I can see why candles don’t make for lasting marriages, birthday candles are only good for a year.
Nice story. Great end twist/irony. Thanks, Randy
Thank you, Randy — the whole idea of marriage consisting of two becoming one is anathema to me — two can be two together, but neither needs give up their “self,” to do so. The whole idea is a holdover from a flawed patriarchal system best forgotten.