GNT True Story Contest 3rd Place Winner
December 9, 2011
Congratulations to A. M. Matte, whose submission was the third place winner of Good News Toronto’s True Story Contest! It was to be a creative non-fiction personal essay about “An Encounter that Changed Your Life.”
SIERRA
I didn’t know what to do with my arms the first time I met Sierra. My elbows stuck out stiffly. My shoulders were raised, as if to lend me extra strength. Not that any was needed to hold the few pounds of baby properly – “Remember to support her head!” – as a camera snapped a photo of my discomfort and Sierra’s squished-up newborn face.
Sierra was the first of many babies to join my circle of friends. Something I didn’t want for myself. Babies were for other people. People with patience. People with parental instincts. People with no particular attachment to their hard-earned cash.
I loved being childfree. My money and my time were my own. Any nurturing I had to spare, I poured into my career. My partner and I, true DINKs, travelled without worrying about leaving offspring with sitters or, worse, having them tag along. I didn’t hate kids; I just didn’t want my own. The children in my life were those of friends, of cousins, of strangers in the grocery store who let theirs roam, screaming for candy and cookies. That was plenty.
Sierra was different. She told us about her day and invited us to colour with her. She remembered the magic words, even when I didn’t.
“Pass the avocado,” I said once at her dinner table.
She didn’t budge, a shocked expression on her face.
“You forgot something!” she exclaimed, appalled at my rudeness.
It took me a moment to catch on.
“Oh! You’re right: Pass the avocado, please.”
Here was a child reminding me of my manners. A child who had me think, through basic savoir-vivre, that, perhaps, not all children are selfish, tantrum-y horrors.
In 2009, Sierra starred as Sorrow, the silent child role, in the Canadian Opera Company’s Madama Butterfly. The role required her to be onstage for one-and-a-half acts, during which she acted, reacted and, most impressively, sat still during most of her performance.
At the age of five, Sierra displayed more composure and wherewithal than many adults I know. Accepting congratulations backstage, she was still a kid, hopped up on excitement, yet able to welcome well-wishers humbly.
I left the theatre completely converted. Some kids may display awful behavior, but some amaze you and give you hope. I determined that my kids would be the latter, as if I planned on having a family all along.
My arms no longer hesitate when I see Sierra; I gather her up in big bear-hugs. A parent myself now, I can’t wait for her to be old enough to baby-sit my kids, and be for them as great a role model as she’s been for me.
14 Responses to "GNT True Story Contest 3rd Place Winner"
I am very much impressed with what is transported to the reader(s) in such a short amount of time – and words…
Congratulations!
Thia is a lovely story, Arianne.
Congratulations.
Congratulations Arianne!!!! I am very impressed how you put the feelings into the words so I could feel them too. Good luck in your next project.
Beautiful and heart warming! You certainly have a way with words. Félicitations!
Arianne, congratulations! Lovely piece… and so honest. Great job describing Sierra.
Well done, Arianne! Such a sweet piece.
Bravo ! Loved it ! clap, clap, clap.
Toutes nos félicitations chère Arianne !
Voici encore une preuve que tu mérites ta place auprès des artistes et des intellectuels.
Je de n’être pas présente du tout cette année. Bonne chance pour la suite et à très bientôt.
Toutes nos félicitations chère Arianne !
Voici encore une preuve que tu mérites ta place auprès des artistes et des intellectuels.
Je regrette de n’être pas présente du tout cette année.
Bonne chance pour la suite et à très bientôt.
I can’t find the words to describe the beauty of your work!
Congratulation!
Absolutely lovely and so well written! You make me wish for all children to be like Sierra.
Great work and looking forward to reading your next piece.
Toutes mes félicitations chère!!! Quel beau et impressionnant récit!!
Very well written with beautiful imagery. I felt like I had a little child bouncing on my knee as I read your story.
Félicitations Arianne! Quelle belle histoire! La fluidité de ton récit nous garde accroché jusqu’à la fin