TotW 175: Pray - WINNER

**Shankbot de Bodemloze** · February 11, 2013, 04:16 PM

Creative Workshop Competitions
<< Picture of the Week | Unedited Screenshot of the Week | Graphics Competition | Tale of the Week >>

Pray

Please put your hands together and pray for this week's winner! Congratulations to Audacia who's emotional tale must have hit a cord with the voters. With more than 70% of the votes the author's prayers really have been answered...

I bet you are praying I stop with all these jokes? Well done to all the 5 submitters who once again wrote fantastic tales.

The Winning Tale

I struggle trying to understand death. I have yet to be exposed to it on a personal level beyond losing my beloved aunt at the age of four. I cannot comprehend it, I cannot accept it, and I am, above all, terribly afraid of it. So when I heard that my grandfather, a kind, compassionate man of eighty nine years, was seriously ill and admitted to a hospital, I panicked. Finally it appeared as though I would have to face the dark, foreboding face of death and its tremendous emotional impact on my life.

I responded to this crisis with prayer. Being a spiritual individual, I genuinely believe in the power of prayer and its ability to soothe both myself and others. As difficult as it is for me to admit, I prayed for very selfish reasons. I wanted my grandfather to remain in good health so that I, as weak and frightened as I was, would not have to suffer through the loss of a loved one. My heart pounded rapidly like the fluttering wings of a hummingbird whenever I thought of the grief and misery losing my grandfather would bring me. How would I grieve? How painful would it be? How long would I be miserable?

Talking, pleading, begging the supernatural to spare your deteriorating grandfather out of a misplaced sense of self pity certainly takes an emotional toll. I felt immense guilt in putting my interests above those of my grandfather and the rest of my family. I decided to take a step back from my obsessive fear of death and tried to imagine the utter depression and sadness my grandfather must have felt lying incapacitated and alone in a hospital bed. My grandfather, who worked with tools throughout his life and nearly built his entire house, was a self-sufficient, hardworking man. I tried entering his mind to feel what it must be like to be rendered immobile and bereft of all energy. I tried to understand his pain, his suffering, and his personal fear of nearing the end of his own life. I envisioned him weeping at the thought of his own helplessness.

My prayers then adopted an entirely new meaning. I prayed for my grandfather’s happiness and joy in knowing his family and many others loved him unconditionally. I prayed for his speedy recovery, and that he might be able to again feel useful. Above all, I prayed for his courage in the face of death, that his fear of uncertainty would be replaced with serenity and acceptance. I hoped that he would reflect upon his life and his long list of accomplishments and realize the good he brought to the world.

My grandfather remains hospitalized, but continues to fight no matter what challenges stand in his way. I can only hope my prayers, combined with the dedicated efforts of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, can make a small difference in maintaining his health and courage through these difficult times.

View the poll thread here.

**Audacia** · February 12, 2013, 07:13 PM

I forgive Shankbot, despite the fact that he "lost" the submissions thread

I am honored by this victory and dedicate my tale to my grandfather. Thank you to all who participated and voted!

**Dude with the Food** · February 13, 2013, 10:14 AM

Thank you for giving us the amazing tale. Truly deserved.

**Rex Anglorvm** · February 14, 2013, 06:05 AM

Well done on the win! Rep+

**Ybbon** · February 18, 2013, 04:02 PM

I have been neglecting the Writers Study of late, busy, writers block, ennui - who knows, however that is no excuse for not repping winners. Oversight corrected.