My theme is based on the tv show Grey's Anatomy. I've created a crossword puzzle.
Only one clue occurs after Season 11's ending, and it's about a patient in season 16. Most of this is about Meredith's earlier "intern" years. (To prevent spoilers, there is nothing about season 19.)
In 2007, Grey's Anatomy's cast of characters was identified as 54.5% white, 9.1% Asian, 27.3% black, and 9.1% Latinx.
"Ellen Pompeo thinks diverse representation has come a long way but that it can always be better." - Dec 2021
It's my favorite tv show. I honestly don't believe I would have survived the pandemic without having this to binge-watch. It's my comfort, my happy place. Thanks to the diverse cast and wide variety of issues, I believe this show appeals to a broad audience.
*But probably not to many 'merican Republicans, as it made clear in the first season's second episode "absolutely no Bush supporters need apply."
Put on your best ferryboat scrub cap, it's time to play!
Today's Clue is for
5 across - Charles ____ had a crush on Reed Adamson. Shot by Gary Clark.
5 down - π 3.14159, every math wiz knows this
Yesterday's answer was OMALLEY
As Grey's Anatomy is known for championing liberal causes, nine of my April posts (A,D,F,H,M,P,R,S,V) will include tweets posted via Resistbot from letters I've sent to my elected officials, in the hopes of encouraging others to make your views heard.
💻
Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com
BONUS CLUE DAY
5 down - π 3.14159, every math wiz knows this
Yesterday's answer was OMALLEY
As Grey's Anatomy is known for championing liberal causes, nine of my April posts (A,D,F,H,M,P,R,S,V) will include tweets posted via Resistbot from letters I've sent to my elected officials, in the hopes of encouraging others to make your views heard.
📬 I delivered this ✉️ from Jamie, a constituent in Allentown, Pa., to @wildforcongress #PA07 #PApol
— Open Letters (@openletterbot) March 16, 2022
📝 Write your own: https://t.co/z5540KFSKD pic.twitter.com/xKMv6BGFBQ
Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com
writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com
Pearl and Sarah
Life is Beautiful WEP April 2023
By Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun
Magen David ✡ is the 'Shield of David,' or the Star of David.
838 FCA — PEARL AND SARAH — Two girls in Nazi times, one Jewish and one not, are separated.
I snap my fingers as I swing my arm. "Darn. You win again."
Sarah takes a bow. She's the hopscotch champion. We grab our sweaters and head home.
"How come all your clothes have those triangles?"
She shrugs. "Mama sewed them on everything one day. It's the Magen David. She said our family must never be without it again."
"Why didn't my mother do that?"
"It's not for your family. See you tomorrow." Sarah waves as she goes into her house. I cross the street and head into mine.
Mother asks if I had fun.
"Yeah. How come you never sewed shapes onto our clothing?"
"What do you mean, dear?" She hangs up my sweater and leads me to the kitchen, where a glass of milk awaits.
"Sarah has triangles on all of her clothing. She said her mom put them on everything for her whole family."
Mom looks at the slice of bread on the plate she's holding. "I was going to share this with you. I think I'll save it for your father instead. Never speak about that symbol again. Do you understand?"
I frown and nod. I don't really understand why I can't talk about it, but I do know now I just have some milk and no snack.
Father comes home after dark. We all have dinner together. Then he asks about my day.
"Sarah and I played hopscotch. I won once, she won all the other times though."
"Why did you let her win?" The brown liquid in his glass swirls as he sets it down.
"I didn't let her. She's better at it than me. You can ask her, she'll tell you. She's better at it than everyone, probably."
"She actually said she's better than you?" Father roars as he gets up, his drink falling off the table.
Mother pleads as she grabs a towel to clean the mess. "Please, she doesn't understand. She's just a girl. She doesn't know what you mean."
"She'd know if she were told! If she were raised properly. See, see what you've done? Letting her go around with their kind, mixing with whoever. It's disgusting. But to have one of them tell her they're better than her? That's exactly what needs to be stopped!"
"I'll practice more." I didn't know Father cared this much about hopscotch.
"Go to your room, Pearl. Go now, and don't come out." Mother ushers me off. She's still on her knees, cleaning the broken glass and spilled drink. From the stairs, I hear her pleading. I shut my bedroom door, grab my blanket, and hide. The sounds are giants. Giants kicking a ball to each other. Just that, nothing more.
*
Loud music wakes me. Mother comes into my room and sits on my bed. I crawl out of my hiding spot. "What's going on?"
"We're listening to records today. Won't that be grand?"
I rub my eyes. "I'm supposed to play hopscotch with Sarah later."
"Not today. We stay inside today. No windows, no doors, no stopping the music."
Her arm has a peach-colored cloth tied around it. There are marks on her face.
"I should go tell Sarah. Then we can have breakfast and play your inside game. Maybe she'll want to play too."
"It isn't a game!" Mother shouts as she stands. "You'll stay in this house, in this room. That's final. And no breakfast today."
She takes hold of my wardrobe. With only one arm, she shoves it toward my window. It scrapes on the floor. I cover my ears, but the sound doesn't stop. Mother is soaked with sweat by the time my window is hidden. Without a word, she yanks my door shut and locks it.
The record player is very loud. Louder than I thought it could go. It doesn't blot out the rumbles from outside. I hide under the blanket trying to escape the sounds. Elephants in a stampede are scaring the giants. That must be it.
I swear I hear my name.
"Pearl, Pearl, help!"
I push my face to my bedroom door and yell. I can't get out, no matter how hard I try. Mother comes to the door and yells at me to be silent.
*
Leaves turn from green to orange to brown. I haven't seen Sarah or her family. I walk to the place where we played. I don't see the point in hopscotch if she's not here. I walk past the bakery. Wooden boards across the door show it's still closed, just like the butcher. I find an acorn Sarah would like. Except she isn't here to show it to. I'm running out of places to hide things I want to share with her when she comes back. I wish I knew where she went. My parents don't allow me to ask about it.
Father inquires about my day after dinner.
"I went to the hopscotch court."
"That's good. I bet no one is better than you at it now." He winks and laughs, then drinks his drink.
Oh, my heart!! There is such hate in some people and it's terrifying. I feel so lucky to have been raised in a home without hate. Well done, Jamie
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie - heart-rending - I can't think back to that era - yet I know it's happening now ... but you've written a tale that tells the story of those times. Desperate - I congratulate you ... well done - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis was painful to read, especially so because I'm Jewish. Lots of my family - in my grandmother's generation - perished in the Holocaust.
ReplyDeleteJamie, what an inspired, intriguing idea for the A - Z. But your story sure packed a painful punch. I felt my stomach clench as I read it. And it would be disturbing for those who've been through this particular type of ugliness. Hopefully, hate never wins.
ReplyDeleteI should mention that my great-grandmother was a Shindler. Her parents moved to America from Germany.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Blogspot/ Google was being annoying earlier and acting like it didn't know me. Super frustrating.
When I was little, my best friend was taken away. Not for being Jewish or something, but because her dad went to prison so she was sent to her grandmother's. But I didn't know and she wasn't allowed to contact me.
We reconnected on Facebook in 2021.
Very powerful and painful. I loved how you brought alive the pain and spilled it over in simple, everyday actions. I loved your story very much.
ReplyDeleteVery moving to re-see history through the eyes of a child, understanding and yet, not understanding. This story is beautifully told, even if the anger of the father cannot be accepted or explained away. I'm glad you reconnected with your childhood friend.
ReplyDeleteCharles Percy's death was quite tragic. Pi, of course.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for P:
My Languishing TBR: P
Playful Phoukas
Devastating but so beautifully told! Brought back childhood memories of my father's hate. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, so glad you reconnected with your friend!
Shattering, moving and powerful. Nailed the POV of the child. Brilliant use of the prompt.
ReplyDeleteNice way to work Pi in.
ReplyDeleteExcellent story. I like how the horrors are told as a child who doesn't know what's going on has to live them. Dad probably doesn't really care about hopscotch. But that's how racists sometimes phrase things. You nailed it.
Sorry my wifi wasn't helping. But I think the glitchy issues aren't just you or me. I think something is going on worldwide. I don't know what, but something.
Hate, horror, terror--so much packed in such a short piece. Such an emotional take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteSuch a powerful piece so full of feelings and emotions. Great take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, so heart stopping, wonderful entry.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful. The innocence of children, which can't be preserved, not understanding the hatred and prejudice. And it still goes on today. Great piece.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jamie on your win ... written with such meaning ... so desperately sad. Thank you - Hilary
ReplyDelete