Dear Friends,
On the radio a while back, I heard the editor of Smith Magazine, a monthly for writers, talk about a hugely popular article he had published inviting his readers to write six word short stories or memoirs. I had been looking for something to do with the kids preparing for Confirmation that week and so I asked them and their teachers to write their own six word story. Looking back, I wish I had saved those scraps of paper.
Here’s a tiny sample of the six word stories that people have sent to Smith Magazine or have later posted on the internet.
Fortune cookie message: “That wasn’t chicken.”
Used vice grip; now in hot water.
From ugly duckling to beautiful cassaoulet. A thousand wrinkles, a million memories. (or- A thousand wrinkles, a million laughs.)
1 went hoarse shouting at God.
Changing zip code didn’t change me.
Food fight secret: Use canned vegetables.
Picked wrong goals; achieved them all.
Packing bags for college. Already homesick.
Ignoring life’s problem, eating chocolate instead.
My faith: sometimes stirred, sometimes shaken.
Subtracting two wheels, buying more insurance.
Nowadays I mostly cruise salad bars.
Valedictorian and class clown. (Home schooled.)
Not lazy, just laconic: _____ ______.
Beating grandpa at Scrabble feels wrong.
Getting clobbered with my own trophy.
Prepared my girlfriends for their husbands.
Sometimes the bug, sometimes the windshield.
Wish someone knew that I was famous.
Younger than everyone else my age.
At war with pasta. I surrender.
When all else fails, blame me.
Lost in thought. Lonely in here.
Only 2 days until AARP membership.
Again? I vacuumed just last January.
Renew vows every morning! Love you.
I’m not mean, just very observant.
Priest brings popcorn to my confessions.
Life’s too short; eat dessert first.
Where water was deepest—I jumped.
Worked hard, got tired, slept well.
I decided to be happy anyway.
Someone had to pay the bills.
Dressing uncomfortably makes me feel ugly.
Never too late for second childhood.
Chicago rescued me from the burbs.
Parenthood; best thing I’ve ever done.
I don’t know what to write.
Changed my brother’s diapers once. Gross!
Math was invented to kill me.
Helpful, happy, home. That’s my dad.
Now it’s your turn! Take a minute then write your own six word story or memoir,
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God bless,
Fr. John
P.S. My current favorite? “I have drama, God has laughs.”
