Six-word stories: IJ readers share short tales of freedom

Years ago, the late Robert W. Plath read the book “A Course in Miracles” and was inspired to think about what forgiveness means and how it can lead to better health and relationships.

The Mill Valley resident died in 2015, but his International Forgiveness Day lives on, and is still celebrated every Aug. 2. So it seems like a good time to honor his vision.

Have you given or received forgiveness? Are there some things you can never forgive?

For August, let’s talk about forgiveness, in six words.

Please make it a story with a beginning, middle and end — not six adjectives. Make us laugh or cry or at the very least feel something. For an example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s quite the story!

If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:

• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line

• Send one story. Just one

• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email

• Write your short story in the body of the email

• Use proper punctuation and spelling

• Use sentence style in one line

• It does not need to rhyme and ideally shouldn’t

• Do not submit six adjectives — that’s not a story

Send to lifestyles@marinij.com by Aug. 19. Look for it in the Aug. 30 lifestyles section and online.

Last month we asked readers to share a short story of what freedom means to them. Here’s what they had to say.

Is “freedom” becoming just another word? — Marty Barry Novato

I make my choices. You don’t. — Dianne Hendricks, Corte Madera

Freedom, what we thought we had. — Marilyn Bagshaw, Santa Venetia

Need caring vigilance to preserve freedoms. — Kathy Barrass, San Rafael

There is never “nothing left to lose.” — David Reinstein, San Anselmo

Freedom to enjoy peace and quiet. — Mary Geving, Woodacre

Please vote, vote, vote, vote, vote. — Barbara Rowe, Mill Valley

Plan A, fight; Plan B, flight. — Penny Press Crow, Mill Valley

Freedom’s over for women in America. — Gary Forer, San Rafael

You know freedom by its absence. — Peter Freeman, Mill Valley

Right, wrong. Free to choose; acceptance. — Janice Burke, Novato

Freedom is choosing how I live. — Ann Troy, San Anselmo

Responsible sex: no pregnancy, no abortion. — Marian L. Weber, San Rafael

Resist, remedy current SCOTUS judicial coup. — Ron Skellenger, Woodacre

Thank God I live in California. — Michelle Fouts, San Rafael

Diminishing freedom; an un-elected religious tribunal. — Rich Panter, Novato

Supreme Court dismantled women’s rights — despicable. — Susan Mines, Terra Linda

Liberty. I looked it up. Wow. — Barry Chukerman, Novato

Freedom rings. Men pregnant? No abortions. — Nancy Louise, Mill Valley

Envisioning retirement: napping whenever I want. — Dan Krimm, San Rafael

Marin outlawed freedom, no sustainable communities.— Dart Cherk, Mill Valley

Freedom, regulated in so many ways. — Karin Granados, San Rafael

Express my ideas, I’m still free. — Cece Jonsen, Novato

Substantive due process, interracial marriage freedom. — Diane Cokely, San Anselmo

Read any book that I desire. — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur

My body is my responsibility only. — Treva Kean Strauss, San Rafael

Freedom is the Jan. 6 hearings. — Ruby Unger, Mill Valley

Now we spell it free dumb. — Tom Allen, Corte Madera

Speak out without hindrance, make choices. — Sharon Eide, Novato

Freedom is controlling your own body. — Janice Kohnhorst San Rafael

Here, now, women are not free. — Billie Forer, San Rafael

Stand up; freedom’s price just skyrocketed. — Jeri Sternenberg, Mill Valley

Freedom is sovereignty over my body. — Glenda Corning, Corte Madera

Same freedoms; straight brother, gay sister. — Ann Reppun, Terra Linda

Freedom means tank full of gas. — Helen Hayes, Ross

Breakfast, tea, tune into Ray Ratto. — Jack Duane, Fairfax

Slipping away via the Supreme Court. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City

Unreasonable search and seizure, new disguise. — Michael Scriven, San Rafael

It’s women’s bodies, not the government’s. — Heidi Mayer, Novato

Right to determine our best individual self. — Dick Young, Larkspur

Early morning swims in uncrowded pool. — Linda Vaaronin, Corte Madera

True freedom is having inner peace. — Peggy Koorhan, San Rafael

We the people. Who are “we”? — Porter Davis, Larkspur

Populations increase, laws proliferate, freedoms wane. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield

Voting, abortion, climate, shootings — freedoms lost. — David Curtis, Novato

Insurrection leaders, scott free, freedom lost. — Al Shaver, Novato

No thought, no fear of consequences. — Jane Ferguson, Mill Valley

Not free; controlled by supreme court. — Susan Bishop Chukerman, Novato

Obedience to God brought greatest freedom. — Gigi Bibeault, Terra Linda

Respect disagreements, seeking bridges with civility. — Terence Cox, San Anselmo

Freedom is being able to DIY. — David Hyer, Novato

Power over principle, freedoms in peril. — Diane Ryken, Novato

Democracy compels your blue November vote. — Deidre Silverman, San Rafael

No early morning alarm. Ah, retirement. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael

Supreme Court ruling, barefoot and pregnant. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato

Kudos to the military for freedom. — Marie Lazzari, Novato

Classmate shunned, father did illegal abortions. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael

Awareness between stimulus and response: Freedom. — G. Mark Spitalny, Mill Valley

What is freedom? Ask Supreme Court. — Mary Ann Gallardo, San Rafael

Let your voice be heard today. — Michael C. Vogel, Mill Valley

Suggested campaign slogan: Keep the Change. — Jon Fox, San Rafael

I can stay here and stop. — Tim Bucy, Greenbrae

Freedom lost. Feel helpless? Vote Democrats. — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley