The First Writing Prize Winner –
SUMMER 2023
is Nathaniel Lawson
of Seattle, Washington – USA
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
By Nathaniel Lawson
Jim was 13 years of age. The current semester has ended. “Yes!” he mused, “This is vacation time now. Just What shall I do during my vacation?” Jim was thinking of the leisure between the time school opened for the next semester. Things like how should he spend it? How could he be productive and creative? Could he return to school, his classes, and his classmates, and be proud of the things he had achieved? Or would he return with no more to say than, “Well, I had a wonderful vacation; I played baseball, went swimming, helped my mom at home, ran some errands for my mom and the neighbors, took out the garbage?”
Somehow, Jim was not quite satisfied with the last summation. You see, Jim was a dreamer. Jim had ambition, and above all, Jim had “pride.” While in deep thought, Jim happened to notice his mother who was at the ironing board, ironing all of those clothes. Earlier, the previous morning, she had washed them. Jim had three more brothers and Jim thought, “Boy, that must be hard work on mom, for she had gotten up early, prepared them breakfast, made up their beds, picked up their clothes, and cleaned their room.”
You see, Jim was the older of the children and was beginning to feel a keen sense of responsibility. Two years ago, their father had been killed in a car accident. And now his mother was alone, taking on the full responsibility of mother, father, caretaker, homemaker, guardian, provider, whatever. Jim noticed the sweat on her brow and the tired, worn look in her eyes, and for the first time in his young years, he felt compassion. The compassion was not out of pity or sorrow for Mom. The impact of his compassion gave him an inner strength. In his compassion, he found a new courage. There was an awakening and a strong love for his mother he had never felt before. This newfound awareness gave him the urge to run and kiss his mother, “which is exactly what he did.”
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It was almost needless to say that his mother was startled. The sudden impact of Jim’s emotions, and the warm hug and kisses had somewhat caught her off guard. But gaining her composure, she asked, “Just what was that all about?” Jim replied, “Mom, Dear Mom, I am never going to be bad and mean again. I am going to get me a newspaper route. I am going down to the supermarket, and delivering groceries for the customers. I am going to keep my room clean, wash behind my ears, and wash my feet every night. I am not going to stay up late at night watching tv, and I am going to make my little brothers do the same. Jim said, “Mom, please do not worry, I will be a big boy soon.
And with new courage and a new lease on life, Jim’s mother exclaimed, “Jim, my Dear Jim, you are the Greatest!” Mom began to iron those clothes with a newborn enthusiasm. Jim’s mother said, “Jim, will you go next door and ask Mrs. Wilson if she will send me a little salt? and tell her that I will pay it back tomorrow.” Jim said, “Sure, Mom.”
Jim reached into his jeans and found the dollar and a quarter coin he had made the day before while running an errand. Jim took it to the corner grocery store and proudly said, “One box of salt please!” Returning home, Jim placed it on the kitchen table. Mom bellowed, “Oh my goodness! She sent me the whole box?!” Jim, stuck out his little chest, and proudly declared, “I bought it myself with my own money.” His mother grabbed him, hugged him, and kissed him. She started to pick him up, but being knowledgeable she decided against it. Because deep down in her soul, she knew that Jim was a big boy now, and was on his way to manhood and independence. Jim walked out into the yard, and to his small brothers proclaimed, “Listen, you guys. No more giving Mom trouble. You are going to obey me and her. Understand?” And seeing his stern look, they said, “Yes, Jim.”
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When Jim went back to school, his teachers asked, “How he had spent his summer vacation?” Jim said proudly, “I spent my vacation helping Mom raise my brothers and myself.”
Jim has a good paper route now. His brothers are all good kids helping him and his mom. Mom takes them all to church, with Jim and two younger brothers singing in the choir. And Mama is proud. They saw a bachelor gentleman smiling at Mom. Well, they all lived happily ever after.
The End.
About the author:
I am in the 5th grade. In school, my favorite subjects are reading, writing, and science. I like mystery books and solving puzzles. I love space travel too. I enjoy building and launching model rockets with my dad, in my spare time. My dog is a Jack Russell Terrier named Sir Orion 5. We have fun playing outdoors. ~Nathaniel Lawson
