PHOTO PROMPT © Claire Fuller
Friday Fictioneers. Thank you, as always to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting. To read more stories written for this photo prompt, click here.
Shadowbox Memories
My grandmother rocks while her fingers worry the ridges of a pink-hued scallop shell from her shadowbox. She smiles.
“The photos Alice wants are on the clothes bags,” she says.
“Why are you donating everything?”
She shrugs. “Downsizing, Beanie.” Her voice is tinged with sadness? Regret?
She grabs my hand, presses the shell into my palm and closes my fingers over it. “You take the shadowbox. You would have loved your grandpa. Your Danny was like him. You understand me?”
I nod.
Memories of teenaged boys, lives stolen by wars, and babies born to widows while the world skips along.
end 10/19/2016
S. Darlington
WOW, that smacks a metaphoric punch. Well done!
Thank you! 🙂
I love the line, “her fingers worry the ridges of a pink-hued scallop shell.” Beautifully written.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Very touching, especially the last paragraph. Nice.
Thank you. I kept rewriting that final paragraph, I’m glad that you thought it turned out well! 🙂
The tragic mirroring of the two lives was very satisfying
Thank you! 🙂
I think it’s great that so much of the story is just hinted at, leaving you space to put in the details about the pink shell etc, and set the right tone.
Thank you! 🙂
“Shadow box” – I love how the name hints at the person no longer there.
So beautifully written. One of my favourite this week.
Thank you so much! Very kind of you to say.
That last sentence is stunning.
Thank you so much!
This is absolutely lovely… there are stories and connections through generations that only widows can know… shadowbox is a great concept.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh this is so beautifully written.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Beautifully touching story, The last paragraph is masterful.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Dear Sascha,
I have a shadow box. Many good memories. Sweet story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you! Thank you for reading. Sorry the reply is so late.
Amazing, my eyes sting with unfallen tears.
thank you! 🙂
This is an awesome story… so moving! Loved your take on the prompt! 🙂
Thank you! Thanks you for reading. I’m so sorry the reply is so late.
The wife and I noticed your blog and appreciate the content you have here. Please allow me to encourage you to keep writing and never abandon this site. I develop mobile apps for bloggers, and if you are ever curious about having a mobile app version of this blog, I would love to help. We appreciate the hard work you have put into this blog and wish you all future success in business and in life.
Thank you for your time, it is the most precious thing we all possess.
-Jacque’
Many thanks for your comments. I wish the best for you as well!