Participating in weekly photo challenges has been a great way for me to get back into blogging after missing so much in previous months, and it’s been fun to see what others are posting for the various challenges. In the interest of trying something new to jumpstart my writing again, I decided to try a writing challenge this week, and chose the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups from Julia’s Place. This is what I wrote for my first submission:
They hold their children close outside the shelter as the line becomes as long as the evening shadows. People in need of food and shelter now outnumber the resources available for them. But they still keep lining up night after night, hoping and praying to be part of the lucky number ushered inside for a hot meal and a warm cot. Most are loners, but lately couples and families have joined the evening ritual of waiting in these lines. And winter will bring the challenge of staying warm and dry in bitter cold and snow, with hunger and hopelessness as their constant companion.
Click the circle of words on the left to visit the blog hosting the challenge, Julia’s Place, and to read other submissions for the challenge. I’m looking forward to reading other submissions to this challenge!
Are you participating in any writing challenges? If so, which ones?
Excerpted from Julia’s Place: “The prompt this week is: … and winter will bring … As usual you have 100 words to add to these 4. Keep your pieces suitable for a PG certificate, link back to this post so others can join in…“
Detailed information about joining this writing challenge can be found here: What is 100WCGU?
***Updated: I realized too late that I should have given this a suitable title, rather than the name of the challenge.
Follow @learning2hearTagged: 100 Word Challenge for GrownUps, Homeless, hunger, shelter, winter, writing challenge
Hearing His Voice 
At first, I got the feeling of a war zone, with those left behind facing the seasons without any coping amenities. And, in a way, that’s still true. And this is a grimly accurate portrayal of it.
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Unfortunately, that scene is a reality in war zones, and after disasters, as well as a daily way of life in many communities. Thank you for your visit and comments.
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You force us to remember “the least of these” with this stark story. Unfortunately, it’s closer to news reporting than fiction!
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Sadly, this is not fiction, it is reality. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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A powerful reminder of how blessed we are and how so many need our help. Thank you and well written.
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Thank you for your comments, and for visiting my blog.
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Indeed we need to be grateful for what we have. A poignant piece.
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Yes, we do! Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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Your post reminds us of poverty and associated issues. The challenge we all need to weigh carefully and respond to with compassion
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Compassion combined with action can make a difference. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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This is a powerful reminder that we need to find a way to solve the problems of poverty and hunger in a world gone mad. Thanks for that.
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You are welcome. Thank you for visiting, and for your comments.
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A sad reminder that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. Well done.
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It does make our problems pale by comparison. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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We don’t usually stop to think how much worse winter must be, if you don’t even have a home to keep warm in. Timely reminder, well done!
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We should definitely count our blessings if we have a warm place to live. Thank you for your comments, and for visiting my blog.
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You’ve recalled a truth we should all remember.
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Sadly, the homeless are too often forgotten. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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That perspective on winter was on my mind too. It is certainly tougher if your are homeless.
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My biggest challenge with writing about the plight of the homeless was maintaining the word limit. There’s just so much that could and should be said about. Thank you for your comments, and for visiting my blog.
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So sad. But so true in these times. Nice writing!
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It is a sad truth, and heartbreaking to know that harder times are ahead for so many. Thank you for visiting, and for your comments.
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Very evocative, and really cast the image of a bleak mid Winter!
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Thank you, I appreciate your visit and comments!
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With times as they are, many of us are but a heartbeat away from a scenario like this. Thank you for shining light on it, beautifully.
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Yes, we never know what we may face in the months and years ahead. Thank you for your visit and comments!
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Very moving and descriptive. Where was this written about? I’ve never heard of this challenge, so now I must go there and check it out.
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I just recently found this writing challenge, and I know there’s many more out there. I hope you’ll join too.
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I was definitely contemplating it. But then, I’m a little wordy…might have trouble sticking to 100 words. But it could happen! 🙂
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I often have a problem with being wordy too, and I had to do some tightening and trimming for my post to meet this challenge. I’m considering it a lesson in discipline, between having to stick using a certain word or phrase, and staying within the 100 word boundary. We’ll see how long it lasts 🙂
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so, the phrase is “and winter will bring…” – right? I’m lying here thinking of something right now. I’ll flesh it out in a Word document and see what I can come up with.
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Yes, you just have to use that phrase some way in your post. It can be a poem, a conversation, or any other way to include the phrase in something written. I can’t wait to read it, be sure to post your link!
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OK…I was just now playing around with this thing, and I think I’ll put it in a draft form and see if you will look at it first. Will that be OK? It’s harder than it looks to do this!! But fun.
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Yes, I’d be glad to read it for you!
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K – here goes!! 🙂
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a very accurate commentary on a very helpless-seeming situation…nicely done.
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Thank you, and thanks for visiting!
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