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Ninety Days – Friday Fictioneers

It’s time to write another piece for Friday Fictioneers!  Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who hosts this venture.  Each week Rochelle chooses a photo prompt to inspire writers to produce a written piece of no more than 100 words.  Do use the link to her blog if you are interested in joining the group.  It’s a great way to get involved in writing!

113 city lights

PHOTO PROMPT ©Jill Wisoff

Ninety Days

My mother’s face was transformed by a sudden smile.  I looked at her in surprise then took her in my arms and held her close.

 After a while, I laid her gently back upon the pillow and stood up to look out of the window.  The city was brightly lit.  In this room, a light had just gone out.

I moved back to sit at the bedside and took my mother’s hand in mine.  I had clasped it tightly as we walked together along the pathway towards the end of her life.  A gentle walk that took just ninety days. 

 

 

 

 

44 thoughts on “Ninety Days – Friday Fictioneers”

  5. It’s been over a year since my Dad died. Mom’s now in an assisted living home and her short term memory is degrading all too quickly. When we sell Mom and Dad’s house (which should be soon now), the income should support her for the rest of her life. What a difficult time of life as your parents age. I know my children and grandchildren aren’t looking forward to discovering that for themselves.

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    1. James, when my grandparents aged and passed away, my mother said that it was different when it was your parents and not your grandparents. I always protested that as I was very close to all four of my grandparents. However, now that my own parents are in their 70s, I am finding it quite different to when my grandparents aged. I think it’s along the lines of grandparents always being old and just getting older whereas we knew our parents when they were young and they were our strength. I find it quite difficult to think of my parents becoming elderly and still think of my Mum in a bikini which was probably about 40 years ago now but that’s who she was at heart and just because the outside has changed, it doesn’t mean that she has.
      Sorry for the loss of your Dad and all the best with selling the family home. It’s a hard process.
      Best wishes,
      Rowena

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    2. It is a difficult time of life when you face the reality of losing your parents. Thank you for sharing your own experience and, in particular, drawing attention to the impact of loss on the younger members of the family.

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  6. Aww… so sad. The end of life is so hard. A very dear friend lost his dad last month and we were there when he passed. It was so peaceful but sad for the family. There was a sense of relief at the same time. Very poignant story.

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    1. Thank you for your response and for highlighting the different emotions that are experienced at the end of life. It takes a very special friend to offer support at such a time. How wonderful that you were able to do so.

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  8. What a beautifully touching story, Edith. It was beautiful and it reminded me of a photo of my mum and her sister walking with my grandmother in the hospital. I don’t understand why we have to leave this world and hope we get to stay in the next. Don’t most of us feel totally unprepared to say goodbye…
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

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    1. Thank you, Rowena, for your appreciative response to the story and for sharing your personal thoughts and feelings. I don’t think anything can prepare us for the final parting but I shall never forget my mother’s last smile. Best wishes from Edith.

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  12. A beautiful story, Edith. My father passed away after a sudden and massive heart attack. I don’t know which is better – a quick end or some time to prepare ourselves for the eventuality. Of course, we all have our whole lives to prepare for it but still it’s never near enough.

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    1. Thank you for your response to my story, Varad, and for sharing your thoughts and feelings. My father passed away in a very similar manner to yours and, because I wasn’t with him, I have found it much harder to come to terms with his departure. For me, the way my mother slipped away was infinitely preferable and I carry her last smile with me always.

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    1. Thank you for your response to my story. I can’t imagine the shock and anguish of losing your father in an accident. Thank you for sharing this with me and, in particular, that you didn’t get to say goodbye. I didn’t get to say goodbye to my father either and I still find that difficult. However, it helps that I can say that to you. Thank you once again.

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  15. Dear Edith,

    A sweet and loving story. My mother passed away nearly 37 years ago and it sometimes seems an hour ago. She never met her third grandson and I’ve never stopped missing her.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Dear Rochelle

      Thank you for sharing some of your feelings about the loss of your own mother. I understand very well the ‘missing her’ aspect. There is still a large, empty space in my life where I would so much like my mother to be.

      Best wishes

      Edith

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    1. That is such a true statement and thank you so much for making it. I did feel privileged. Even more so now, when I look back and consider how possible it was that I might not be with my mother at the end. A privilege and a blessing!

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