Wild Mind {number one}

Wild Mind (Monday) is a writing group that Maranda over at My Camo Colored Life started, and as soon as I heard about it I knew I wanted to participate. The group will work its way through Natalie Goldberg’s Wild Mind. Basically they’re writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing.

This week’s prompt: write for 10 minutes using the prompt “I remember.” Walk around for a few minutes without talking then sit back down and write for another 10 minutes using the prompt “I don’t remember.”

I remember my hands were clammy and were beginning to shake. My mouth started to feel like it was stuffed with cotton, and beads of sweat were forming at the top of my brow. I remember my heart fluttering, thumping, and beating so hard and so fast I thought it would pop out of my body at any second. I remember reaching for chap stick and fumbling through my purse, because I couldn’t find it right away. I remember my hands trembling as I quickly smoothed it over my lips, trying to pass the time. 

I remember sitting on the Disney monorail waiting for it to stop and waiting for what I knew would be the next step in my life…I remember thinking how crazy this was to fly across the country to spend the week with a boy I had only met once and was thanking God two of my best (guy) friends were there with me in case things went sour. I remember how excited they were for me. 

I remember texting you to make sure this thing was real and that it was actually going to happen, that you would be waiting for me when I stepped off the monorail. I remember you wrote back and I felt a tad bit calmer knowing you were probably as nervous as I was. I remember making my wobbly legs come to a standing position and then making them walk. I remember hoping, praying, I remembered what you looked like—the last time I saw you was five months before, over New Year’s Eve and I had drank too much that night. 

I remember walking towards you, probably with a ridiculously funny-looking smile and seeing you walking towards me. I remember you were wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, and flip flops, something I would grow to love over the years. I remember we stood there for a brief second and then you embraced me in giant hug. I remember feeling completely comfortable and wished that moment would last forever. I remember seeing you for the second (first) time.

I don’t remember who talked first. I wish I did, but between the bottle(s) of wine I probably consumed, I don’t remember if I took the initiative and broke the ice or if you did. You say you spoke first, but knowing you now I know that’s completely out of character for you. I don’t remember movies. I know that’s silly, but I really can’t remember how movies end. And on that note, I don’t remember songs or the artists of songs, most of the time they all sound the same. I don’t remember…I don’t remember visiting New Orleans; I was six months old and that was my first trip. I don’t remember…I don’t remember…I don’t remember…I don’t remember. I don’t remember the vows at our wedding. I don’t remember actually saying anything; I know I did and I meant every word of what I said, but I don’t remember. I’m hoping our video will jog my memory, but there was so much going on at that exact moment that I don’t remember. I don’t remember the exact words you spoke when you proposed, but I don’t care that I don’t remember that, because I know you meant what you said and you tell me more beautiful things every single day now. I don’t know what else I don’t remember…

 P.S. I just realized that this is my 700th post. How cool!