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Cynthia Kraack

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Tag Archives: Redemption

Redemption

Cynthia Kraack Posted on August 8, 2017 by Cynthia KraackAugust 8, 2017

I’ve been revising a story about a military drone designer’s gradual decision to leave his job. Themes of redemption play through the second half of the narrative.


Rē’ dem(p)SH(e)n/  noun
  1. the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
  2. the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.

On a spectacular summer morning redemption at many levels could be possible. The country will come back from the brink of constitutional mayhem and inexcusable narcissism. I’ll reconnect a relationship that has faltered. The dog will stop chewing his toenails. Kiss and make up. A gift to right a slight. A hug to heal separation. A simple prayer of thanksgiving.

Every student attending Marquette University was required to take a course called “God and Man” when I was a student. The Jesuits demanded we think about the bigger question of why we exist as well as complete a degree. I don’t remember a lot of guidelines in pushing beyond vacation bible school or confirmation preparation. The course was tough.

In an increasingly secular country we shy away from mention of believing in a force more powerful than those created by people. I believe that there is some central spiritual source that provides me with freedom and responsibility to make decisions. I am a complex human being, far more than a Social Security number or data point

The character in this short story does not exist by my terms. For three years his existential crisis has not had found a sound fictional answer that I am willing to accept. So I’ve given myself a deadline to finish the relationship and call the story complete. No kiss and make up. More of a figure it out buddy or kiss off. This character may not experience sweet redemption, but he has been interesting to have in my fictional neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Blog | Tagged #MyWritingProcess, Redemption, The Human Condition, U.S. in mess | Leave a reply

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