21-Word Memoir
My first writing contest deadline is approaching at the end of the month. This is a relatively low stakes one. It’s only a few words. There’s no cash prize (but I would get a free writing class, which is nifty). The assignment: tell a true story about my life in 2021, in 21 words or fewer. I scrolled back through my Facebook posts from last year, trying to jog my memory of the noteworthy moments. I came up with many. The hard part is summarizing something big or meaningful in so few words.
Michael recommended I take a stab at our search and rescue from back in January, which you may remember I wrote a blog post about. That post was over 7,000 words. I wasn’t sure how to boil it down to only 21. I told Michael, “Somehow, Our friend got lost. We spent all night searching in the snow. We found him. Doesn’t have the drama I need for a contest.”
He blew my mind by replying, “Stayed up all night searching in the snow. Expected a body recovery in the morning. Found hugs and tears instead.” Damn, husband over here stealing my thunder! It just goes to show the impact of the words we use and how even a 21-word story can be profound if you choose your words wisely. It’s all about knowing what to focus on.
Here are my attempts. Some are good, some are not.
Ran a class IV rapid on the Chattahoochee, flipped the raft, laughed the whole time. Rang in the new year right.
We strapped the dish of baked beans to the bicycle and pedaled across town for family Thanksgiving, happy to gather again.
We ended our honeymoon in a hot springs vapor cave in the mountains, soaking in the love and good vibes.
We stumbled upon a group of twenty-something people tripping on acid while hiking to find ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings.
On our honeymoon, we backpacked through Coyote Gulch and camped underneath Jacob Hamblin Arch, nothing but the stars above our heads.
We got married on a farm known for epic music festivals and yoga retreats. Our festival of love was better.
We had a joint bachelor/ette party bicycle pub crawl. Only one wipeout, and one Uber to prevent another. So many giggles.
Took my brother to Gauleyfest for his first whitewater rafting experience. He only fell out once, after all the hard rapids.
Hiking in Glacier National Park when a grizzly appeared behind us. Bad time to forget bear spray. Thankfully, it wasn’t hungry.
For two weeks, we thought COVID was over. We flew to Montana for a friend’s wedding and danced like it was.
Three sheets of plastic, a hose, a hill, and some hay bales. A 75ft slip ‘n’ slide. Never too old.
Fulfilled my mom’s bucket list by going hang-gliding at Lookout Mountain. We soared like birds, together in the sky.
Six friends, six bicycles, four days, 154 miles along the Greenbrier River Trail. We touched Mothman’s butt on the way home.
We snuck into the quarry with our bicycles. We threw rocks off the cliff, made s’mores, and felt like teenagers again.
I haven’t decided which one I’ll submit yet, if any. I might come up with new ones, or edit these some more. I still have a few days to let it marinate. If you read this, let me know your favorite!
