AWAI Writing Challenge Winning Entry:
The Gift of Life
This year I tired of being retired, gave my furniture to my neighbors, bought a ticket to Quito, Ecuador and began a new life adventure that includes learning Spanish and taking the first steps to becoming a travel writer and photographer.
For the first three months in Quito I lived with a local family to immerse myself in the language and culture. It was there that my life was given a gift of heart that has few comparisons – the feeling that comes with giving life where there was none and rejoicing every time you see the beneficiary savoring his new time.
I was in my room when I heard the maid screaming from the living-room. I ran to investigate and saw her standing over the body of the 88 year old man of the house. There was no movement. His eyes were frozen toward the ceiling. There was no pulse or heartbeat. The family gathered wailing in panic. Reacting as if on instinct and seemingly without emotion, I began giving CPR as I recalled from training 25 years before, modified by what I thought I recalled from articles read in the ensuing years.
In retrospect one could find humor in what followed. It was like trying to crank start an old car. First only effort with no result. Then lips fluttered and sputtered as the spark of life tried to achieve ignition and then died. This happened several times until finally there was a cough, some blood ejected, a backfire, and then life. Breathing started, a pulse, and the body became animated. By the time the ambulance arrived minutes later, he was insisting on getting up, annoyed at the attention and complaining of a sore chest.
Months later and living in an apartment of my own, I visit that family and take the old man newspapers and magazines to feed his thirst to learn. I wonder about this passion of his. Why? Does he feel he needs to get something more before he leaves this world? Is it to go with him?
This gentleman got life but I received something that is possibly the greatest gift that I have ever experienced. I compare it to witnessing the miracle of the birth of one's own child, overwhelming emotion, pride and a sense of spirituality. His gift to me is renewed every week when I stop by with new reading material and see his joy of learning and his sharing his self with his family.
Thank you, Jaime.
How to Land Clients in 21 Days with Just Your Computer
How do I land my first client? It’s a question every aspiring freelancer asks eventually. Now, there’s a proven system for landing clients that removes the guesswork. Best of all? No cold calling. Learn More »
“That moment when you close your eyes, suck in your breath and say a silent "yes!" happened just recently when I got a royalty check in the mail. That one project has turned out to be quite profitable.”
If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be.
Get Nick Usborne’s step-by-step system for creating money-making information websites.
In just 6 hours and 35 minutes, you can be in business earning $60 – $150 an hour writing simple resumes.
Learn the secrets behind succeeding in this in-demand career.
The work is plentiful … the pay scales are generous and the competition is scarce!
Get the answers to the hundreds of questions and concerns commonly asked in specific, step-by-step details.
Use this eight-step plan to make the leap from aspiring copywriter to professional copywriter this year.
Let your fellow AWAI members show you firsthand the easiest, most powerful way to land your first client … BEFORE you finish the program.
Writing for the web is a huge opportunity for copywriters. Let web expert Nick Usborne show you how to write blockbuster web copy in record time … even if you're a complete internet “rookie”!
It’s an opportunity to make $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 a year or more … working just a few hours a day.
A once complicated profession is now something you can do on a standard computer – even if you have little or no “artistic” ability.
It’s one thing to have a website. But if your website can’t be found by the search engines, it may as well not exist.
The Internet creates new income possibilities every day. The biggest among them: online video marketing.
Get the very techniques top-performing copywriters use to rattle off one groundbreaking control after another.
In his new book, Michael Masterson teaches you his very own formula for powerful persuasion and how to apply it to direct mail sales letters as well as online promotions.
A wonderful story, with touching sentiment, profiling a heroic act, but a weak connection to the topic. Where does the word "Thanksgiving" even show-up? Though it's not bad, the writing in general could use some polish. I would like to say this wonderful story was a four or five, alas, it only rates a two on my scale.
wiredgun – November 19, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hugh, Thanks for not only sharing this story - but for writing it with words that are both precise and compassionate. Just like a good copywriter...
In this time of Thanksgiving it is good to remember that we can give thanks every day for the small miracles that bless our lives. In your case it was quite a big one!
Denise – November 20, 2009 at 10:37 am
Okay.... So....
What is the gift? What are you thankful for?
Susan – November 21, 2009 at 11:49 am
Oops, sorry. Just re-read and see the gift is explained. Just not used to the reveal being so early in the copy.
Thanks, Susan
Susan – November 21, 2009 at 11:56 am