Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Fragrance of Memories

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright Janet Webb
When growing up, I watched my mother wield a large pair of clippers and go at the Cherry Blossoms that edged our yard.  She would fill a vase with warm water and dunk the spindly branches with buds that were still tight. 

Within a week we would witness the unfurling with an unbounded joy that still stays with me.

In the first year without her, an unseasonal storm left us carpeted under snow.  When it was over I ventured outside with the clippers in my hand.


Later the family gathered around the flowers and inhaled the fragrance of her memories.

***



Written for Friday Fictioneers. Word Count : 100


No songs this time only a link to a poem

28 comments :

  1. Anonymous7:48 am

    Loved it <3 Great story.

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    1. Thanks Archita, I am glad you liked it.

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  2. Anonymous8:54 am

    I enjoyed the memories--especially "inhaled." That's a particularly good turn of phrase.

    All my best,
    Marie Gail

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    1. Thank you Marie Gail for your words of appreciation.

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  3. Lovely memories in this piece.

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    1. Thanks Alicia, it's memories like these that keep us connected to our loved ones.

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  4. There is no sense that evokes memories better than smell.. I especially like the extra cold winter that works as a metaphor for sorrow as well...

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    1. Thanks Björn I am glad you liked it. I was aiming for those associations that you talk of.

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  5. always the memories, both haunting and beautiful. nicely written

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    1. Thank you, I am glad you liked it.

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  6. Dear Subroto,

    What a loving way to remember his mother. A tender story with a sweet fragrance.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle there is no other way to remember mothers :-)

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  7. Anonymous3:18 pm

    I love the metaphors in this story. Coming out from the chill of a particularly harsh winter and the shock to the system of losing a loved one, the narrator finds a way to take ownership of his/her grief by choosing this unique and beautiful way to remember her. Beautifully told

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    1. Thanks os much your your comments Siobhán. I am glad you liked it.

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  8. Anonymous8:24 am

    Lovely memories.....

    Lily

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    1. Thanks Lily, I am glad you liked it.

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  9. "inhaled the fragrance of her memories"...lovely.

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    1. Thanks Dawn, I am glad you liked it,

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  10. Subroto, Lovely story of remembrance. Well written. :) --- Susan

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    1. Thanks for your comments Susan, I am glad you liked it.

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  11. I really like how you've set the story up in the first paragraph with a slow-paced reminiscence. The mother comes alive in this section. The transition to the narrator venturing out to take her place is so moving. A lovely story.

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    1. Thanks Margaret for your lovely comments.

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  12. Yes, once we lose the people we love, their memories haunt us for a long time - if not lifetime :)

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  13. That much more meaningful, given her loss. I loved this one when you first wrote it, but particularly poignant now. Healing thoughts, sent your way.

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    1. Thank you so much for you wishes Dawn.

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  14. I have landed here from your piece 'Chronicle of the Nomad', not sure if I'd have been aware of a loss so eternal. Ever since you have bound yourself in the shackles of 100 words, I've been reading your posts with the grudge that you have been withholding from me a stream so pure. I have come to reconcile myself with the truth though, and the tightly wrought beauty of these powerfully packed compositions have helped so much. Carry on, my friend!

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    1. Thank you Umashankar for those gracious words.

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