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.










55 comments:

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

      Delete
  2. 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.

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

      Delete
  3. 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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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
  5. Peter sounds like a nice chap, and a sweet story.
    I was in our garden centre last week which was FULL of Christmas stuff!

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

      Delete
  6. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

      Delete
  9. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Delete
  14. Such a poignant story, delightful Susan.

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. such a good man. well told story.

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dora. Your feedback is much appreciated.

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ah! Creativity often works! Lovely story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. :)

      Delete
  21. 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 ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Isadora. I find Christmas quite challenging.

      Delete
  22. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  26. A touching story, Susan. well written

    ReplyDelete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.