Wednesday, 11 November 2020

LEST SHE FORGET - 100 word story

My first reaction when I saw this weeks' Friday Fictioneers photo prompt was: oh, I'm not ready to write a Christmas story. But today (the eleventh) is Armistice Day and found I was able to weave a story around both events. 





LEST SHE FORGET




'Not possible.'

'But, Peter...'

'It's November, Annie.'

'But, Peter...' Annie's eyes filled with tears.

Peter softened his tone. 'Nothing's ready yet, Annie.'

Annie gulped. 'Just a little bit of holly then?'

'Not for another three weeks.'

Dejected, the old lady left the garden centre.

Peter watched her go. He knew her story. She'd lost her husband many Christmases ago. He understood that putting up Christmas decorations was Annie's way of celebrating his memory, but what could he do? The trees, the holly, the mistletoe: nothing was available yet.

He looked up at his pine tree and had an idea.




I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE


If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 


- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.


On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 
Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.










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55 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald11 November 2020 at 11:23

    That's so sweet. Lovely, Susan

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:45

      Thanks, Neil. I wasn't sure where I was going with it when I started writing. It sort of wrote itself.

      Delete
  2. Anita Sabat11 November 2020 at 12:14

    Touching story, Susan.
    Yes, I thought of Christmas too.
    It may be early for X'Mas, but just in time for 'Diwali- the festival of lights celebrated in India.

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    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:46

      Thanks, Anita. We used to celebrate Diwali with our Indo-Fijian friends when I lived in Fiji. :)

      Delete
  3. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields11 November 2020 at 12:54

    Dear Susan,

    It's Veteran's Day here so your story's the perfect tie-in. Poignant and heartwarming. (The fact is, at least in the States, Christmas decorations are already available.)

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:46

      Thanks, Rochelle. I was pleased with how the story developed.

      Delete
  4. C. E. Ayr11 November 2020 at 12:56

    Delightful piece, Susan

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  5. Iain Kelly11 November 2020 at 13:10

    That's one excuse for Christmas decorations in November I can agree with! Touching story Susan.

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    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:48

      Yes, they're only allowed in November if you have a good enough reason! Personally, I don't put up any decorations at all. :)

      Delete
  6. liz young11 November 2020 at 15:20

    Peter sounds like a nice chap, and a sweet story.
    I was in our garden centre last week which was FULL of Christmas stuff!

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    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:49

      Thanks for the feedback, Liz. (I'm claiming 'artistic licence'!) :)

      Delete
  7. Birgit11 November 2020 at 16:10

    Oh this is so lovely and as I watch the Remembrance Day ceremony in Toronto and think of my dad who fought in WW2, this is a very fitting story that works for today. May we never forget.

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    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:52

      Thanks for your kind comment, Birgit. This was one of those very rare occasions where I was moved by my own storytelling.

      Delete
  8. Linda11 November 2020 at 17:53

    What a kind and gentle story. If only there were more of them!

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    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:55

      Thanks, Linda. I think we could all do with a bit of kindness and compassion at the moment.

      Delete
  9. Trent McDonald11 November 2020 at 20:50

    Sounds liek Peter has a good heart and will figure somethign out...

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    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 20:57

      He fashioned a 'wreath' to go around her door, as per the photo, Trent. :)

      Delete
  10. Majik Mom11 November 2020 at 20:53

    a pleasant echo of times past. Ny grandmother got nws of her son's death, shot down on what would have been his last bombing mission, on Christmas eve. A few years later his remains came home on Dec. 22. She did not celebrate the holiday

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames11 November 2020 at 21:05

      Sorry to hear that, Majik. There were so many tragedies...

      Delete
  11. A.B11 November 2020 at 23:56

    Touching and heartbreaking story but it ends on a positive note.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames12 November 2020 at 15:27

      Thanks for the feedback. I thought it was important to end the story positively.

      Delete
  12. JadeLi12 November 2020 at 00:53

    What a thoughtful clerk/friend. Heartwarming story, Susan.

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  13. Dale12 November 2020 at 02:55

    This was such a sweet story, Susan. I hope his idea works...

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames12 November 2020 at 15:28

      Oh, it worked - you can see the wreath he fashioned for her in your photo. :)

      Delete
  14. Tannille12 November 2020 at 08:48

    Sweet story. Shame everyone isn't this considerate...

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames12 November 2020 at 15:29

      Oh, I agree, Tannille. We all need to show some kindness in these difficult times.

      Delete
  15. Keith's Ramblings12 November 2020 at 11:29

    Such a poignant story, delightful Susan.

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  16. draliman12 November 2020 at 15:13

    Lovely story. She at least has a reason for premature Christmas decorations, I hope he can help :-)

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  17. plaridel12 November 2020 at 17:21

    such a good man. well told story.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames12 November 2020 at 20:14

      Thanks for commenting. I wanted to write about empathy. :)

      Delete
  18. Penny Gadd12 November 2020 at 18:03

    A lovely story, Susan, with a heart-warming ending. Very moving.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames12 November 2020 at 20:15

      Thanks, Penny. Am I allowed to admit that I was moved when I wrote this?

      Delete
  19. Dora12 November 2020 at 18:26

    Beautiful story. We all have different ways of coping with sorrow, but how remarkable when we also help each other cope.

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    1. Susan A Eames12 November 2020 at 20:15

      Thanks, Dora. Your feedback is much appreciated.

      Delete
  20. Brenda Cox13 November 2020 at 14:39

    A very sweet story, Susan. The holidays should be a time of giving!

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  21. Na'ama Yehuda13 November 2020 at 19:12

    Ah! Creativity often works! Lovely story!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames13 November 2020 at 21:21

      Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. :)

      Delete
  22. Isadora De La Vega13 November 2020 at 22:27

    A touching story that filled me with a happy sadness for her.
    Some memories are related to a certain time - like holidays.
    Nicely written ... Be Safe … Isadora ��

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames14 November 2020 at 12:32

      Thanks, Isadora. I find Christmas quite challenging.

      Delete
  23. Nobbinmaug13 November 2020 at 22:29

    That's sweet.

    My mom's parents always decorated on Christmas Eve after the kids went to bed. As a kid, I always insisted Christmas started the day after Halloween and demanded decorating commenced immediately.

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    1. Susan A Eames14 November 2020 at 12:33

      He he - our decorations were governed by birthdays when I was little. My sister's: 22nd Dec and mine: 14th Jan. :)

      Delete
  24. Anonymous14 November 2020 at 14:55

    A touching story based on kindness.An example of kindness.

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  25. David Stewart15 November 2020 at 02:21

    What a great story. Seems like a really nice guy.
    -David

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames15 November 2020 at 11:22

      Thanks, David. I enjoyed creating a character with a bit of empathy.

      Delete
  26. Laurie15 November 2020 at 09:23

    As this is a lovely story. Good cheer and a good heart. Well done

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  27. Michael Wynn15 November 2020 at 15:28

    A touching story, Susan. well written

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  28. Helen Baggott 23 November 2020 at 13:21

    That's so heart-warming.

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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