Spring Fling Kidlit Contest

It's time—time for me to start my blog. And I feel there is no better impetus than the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest hosted by Ciara O'Neal and Kaitlin Leann Sanchez. Though I can't guarantee my blog will be much more than a chronicle of my participation in various writing contests or pitch parties across the internet, it'll give me a space to be somewhat accountable to myself.

I'm grateful to Ciara and Kaitlin for running the contest and to all those who are donating prizes for the winners. It's a beautiful thing to be part of a community that gathers to help and support newcomers. That's why I love engaging with y'all.

A little background before I share my story: I don't hate numbers, but I do hate taxes. I joke that's why I married an accountant—so I would never have to do my taxes again. The one trade off is that my husband is pretty busy from January to mid-April. So when I think about spring now (in my adult years), taxes come to mind.

So, I give you "April 14th," a short story on an underappreciated springtime holiday in 148 words.

And here is the lovely little gif that has inspired my entry:

APRIL 14TH

By Tiffanie Leung Abbott

They say there’s a holiday that is little known

Its only celebrants are adults, and adults alone.

While we kids doze off, blissfully unaware,

Our moms and our dads work in frustrated despair.

They sit with their laptops, keys furiously clacking,

And ask, “Should we itemize?” while clearly stress snacking.

They indulge in all of their favorite junk foods,

Though it seems to do little to lighten their moods.

I hear it’s meant to be a night of much quiet,

But in my house, it sounds a lot more like a riot.

I once heard a shout, “Where’s your W-2?!”

And a grunted reply, “I don’t have it. Don’t you?!”

This holiday comes with its own kind of décor:

Papers and forms strewn from the couch to the floor.

But when all is complete, they let out a big cheer

And exclaim, “Taxes are done! Well…until next year.”