Post #40 – Women’s Memoirs, News – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
Janet Riehl of Riehl Life: Village Wisdom contacted Matilda and me yesterday and asked if we’d help her get the word out about the Second Mile Award she has created. Please read on because this is your opportunity to use your writing skills to do something for a couple of Elders.
Janet’s father, Erwin A. Thompson, turns 95 on November 9, 2010–a feat in and of itself. If you know Janet’s writing, you also Mr. Thompson has remained active in the arts and connected with family and community his entire life. He is a writer and musician and a significant contributor to the audio version of Janet’s memoir, Sightlines: A Family Love Story in Poetry and Music. We reviewed Sightlines.
What Do You Give to a Man Who Has Everything He Values?
What do you give to a father who has lived to 95 and enjoys simple values? Janet’s answer to this question (and her gift) are inspired: Create an award called the Second Mile Award that honors a person–75 years or older–whose life shares the same values as Janet’s father–integrity, dignity, character, creativity and connection to community.
Use Your Gift of Writing to Honor a Special Elder in Your Life
The Second Mile Award, in my opinion, is the gift that keeps on giving. Janet honors her father by honoring his values. In turn, she makes it possible for all of us to nominate someone special we know. And finally, Janet intends to make this an annual award. The values live on.
To nominate a special Elder (75 years or older) in your life, write a brief, personal essay (500 words or fewer) that explains why your nominee qualifies. Use your best writing skills to paint a picture with detail. Remember, show don’t tell.
You’ll find all the details on how to enter by following this link to Riehl Life. Janet and her father will read all the entries and select the winner.
The Second Mile Award recipient receives:
- a $500 honorarium,
- a certificate designed by Erwin’s granddaughter, Janean Thompson Baird, and
- publication on Janet’s Riehl Life blogsite.
So take some time this weekend to honor a special Elder in your life. Write a 500-word essay and submit it by November 9, 2010.
What is the “Second Mile?”
The Second Mile comes from the story of the Good Samaritan and the Bible verse: Matthew 5:41: “And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him, go twain.” This is a favorite passage of Erwin Thompson, so much so that he named his novel The Second Mile. While circumstances might compel our first mile, it is a person’s special character that drives him or her to go the second mile. This belief has been the guiding force behind Mr. Thompson’s life.
