Lucy sat at her computer staring off into space pondering her new internet friends. She fell onto her chair and opened up her bag. She carefully placed her lotto ticket into the lucky side slot. This was a whole new game to be in. Are they really who they say are? She wanted to write something that was intriguing, mysterious and prolific all at the same time but was not at all sure if this was possible.

She loved to write poetry and the poetry she writes is inspired by the photographs that she takes. Sometimes it is a moment in time, other times it’s a feeling that comes alive in the picture and then at other times it has to do with something that wasn’t even in the shot when she clicked the camera. Her head began to hurt from the stress of thinking about it. She looked at her recent photo’s again selecting the most interesting ones that she might publish to the net.

What if they could really see that she was just a single parent who was trying to make ends meet by doing one of the things that she could do? She could sit at her computer tapping at the keys, pouring her heart out in a story. The other thing she loved doing was taking photographs and these things actually made her happy. Simple things but creative activities took up most of her time during the day. She always carried her camera with her because you just never know when a photo opportunity will arise.

She loved going for walks and had been on some beautiful bush walks with her friends. She was at one with her camera and won some praises for her photographic skills and her poetic ramblings. She put together two books from the photos and poetry in her collection. Other people were enjoying her work too and this both pleased and perplexed her. She really needed to sort herself out and start making a serious attempt at making a living from the talents that she had been blessed with. That thought just made her freeze.

Like the photograph or still shot, a segment of time captured in a freeze frame, she wanted to explore the avenues that were opening up for her. She still had the responsibility of raising her daughters but that was a part of her anxiety. Her daughter’s were almost ready to leave the nest and start their own lives and she needed to find a life worth living. She had many choices and with plenty of opportunities. Life had exploded and that both frightened and excited her. She was like a kid in the lolly shop but this time she is older and wiser. This is like having another bite of the pie, I love Apple Pie! I must count my blessings and see what happens.

The day had disappeared in the blink of an eye and her daughters were soon pounding on the door. They were full of excitement and chatter having just seen the third “Pirates” movie. Lucy liked the noise of the girls being home, the house seemed warm and inviting. After eating a family meal together, they plonked their heavy bodies down in front of the large silver television screen. Lucy was frantically grabbing for a pen as the Lotto draw came on the television. The presenter was saying,”…and if those are the numbers on your ticket, you are a winner! Congratulations to all our lucky winners, we will see you back here next week.”

Lucy knew that regardless of if she had won Lotto or not, her life was fulfilled and that her family made it that way.