The Six-Word Story

My friend Ken Read had a wonderful post on his blog recently.  He told about a report he'd heard on National Public Radio which featured a project asking people to summarize their lives in 6 words. SIX WORDS! Yikes!  For word-o-philes like me, that's more of a challenge than Lays'  "Bet you can't eat just one" campaign from years ago.

But the idea does give one pause.  The 6-word summary idea was based on the rumor that Ernest Hemmingway had written one himself (not necessarily his own) to demonstrate the concept.  His mini-mini-story was:  "For sale.  Baby shoes.  Never worn."   Wow.  The mind jumps into high gear filling in the spaces for that one.

I happened to read Ken's entry last week while Lexi and Haley were so sick and Haley was taking her turn at C.H.O.C.  I wrote him my 6-worder for the week:  "Two granddaughters.  In hospital.  Same week" or was it "Two granddaughters in hospital.  Really sucks" ?  Either one would have worked.  

Of course, the 6 words don't have to evoke pathos or pain.  Ken (a college professor) had some great ones of his own that he posted on his office door:

• Gone crazy.  Be back sometime soon.
  
• I'm not afraid to flunk you.
  
• Students beware.  I am not organized.
  
• Thanks for, gosh, just being you.
  
• I'm stupid, but I'm not dumb!
  
• Living forever!  So far, so good . . .
  
• I love Jesus.  Jesus loves me.
  

Get the picture?  I challenge you to give it a shot.  I'd love to see what you come up with.  (See, Kurt . . . That's ONE way to get comments!  :o)   )  

So based on my post last night, my 6-worder for this weekend:  "Gonna see some movies.  Can't wait!"