Her son’s death shattered her life like a stone hitting a mirror. The shards pierced her heart and soul making it impossible for her to experience love or joy in any way.
She stood with her sister’s baby in her arms. Little Monica looked up at her with large, trusting eyes. She walked around the room singing softly to the tiny girl just as she had sung to her own boy more than twelve years ago.
A burst of love surged through her, vapourizing the shards. Acceptance of the past brought her acceptance and a welcome sense of peace.
Written for Charli Mills Carrot Ranch Literary Community’s 99-word challenge as follows: January 24, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about shards. You can write about the pieces, the item they once were, or who picks them up and why. Go where the prompt leads.
You can join in here: https://carrotranch.com/2019/01/25/january-24-flash-fiction-challenge/
So touching…
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Thank you, Ritu.
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I am impressed how well you make things flow within the EXACT word count specified. Sweet little story.
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Thank you, Priscilla. It is not always easy and I have to fiddle with the words.
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My mom told me that a theory from long ago – before industrialization – was that you had to keep pumping out kids so you could transfer your love for the dead ones onto something. This reminded me of that tale.
Do you think people do transfer love from a dead child to a new one? Or is it just a coping mechanism to ignore true sadness?
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I think it is more about acceptance and moving on than a transference of love from one child to another. You never get over the death of a child, in my opinion, but you can learn to love again.
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What a perfect story. So many emotions with so few words. Well done!
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Thank you, Darlene.
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A strong image of that shattering glass, Robbie, and a powerful story of love, loss, and acceptance. ❤
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Thank you, Diana.
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Beautiful and powerful 💜💜
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Thank you, Willow.
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You have caught the feelings and emotions perfectly.💜
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Thank you, Willow.
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good images with breaking glass shards!
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Thank you, Jay. It took me a while to think of an angle for this prompt.
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What a stunning heartrending story in just 99 words. You captured her emotions so vividly. The imagery of the shard glass was perfect!
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Thank you, Karen. Sometimes emotional pain does feel like a stabbing shard of glass.
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Strong words surrounding the beginning of acceptance. Beautifully done.
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Thank you, Violet.
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There is a healing that is special and soothing from an innocent child that cannot be denied.
I just read a good news story about a little boy who went up to a police officer to thank the man for keeping his neighborhood safe. While the boy could have been encouraged by his parents, it was still a nice gesture that made the police office feel like he had chosen the right profession.
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It is nice to hear a story like that. Babies and small children are so delightful and innocent. They seem to lose that innocence so much younger now. Thanks for visiting Jules.
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lovely use of the prompt Robbie, and I’m praying this start of acceptance is coming for your dear friend 🙂
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It is so hard for her, Kate. I don’t think the reality has really set in yet. It does take some time to recognise that it is forever.
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Absolutely Robbie and especially as he’d been so sick she would be used to him being hospitalised from time to time … takes 6-8 weeks and she will be a mess. Be there for her 🙂
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Thank you, Kate. I am trying.
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you are a ⭐
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Such a moving shift in her life. You caught the moment with depth and credibility.
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Thank you, Charli.
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This is a very touching piece, Robbie. It is through acceptance that we can begin to heal. Sometimes it’s a difficult journey to walk.
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Thank you, Norah, you are right about that.
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