Each week, writers from all over the world join in the 100-word flash fiction challenge, that is Friday Fictioneers. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields herds this collection of kool kats, and this week, David Stewart provided the photo. If you’d like to join in, or read the other stories, check out Rochelle’s blog: Addicted to Purple. Warning: Friday Fictioneers is highly addictive!
In my usual goofball state, I forgot to post this when written… As always, I welcome positive or constructive feedback. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
© David Stewart
Lost In the Music (100 words, exactly)
“Come on Betts, darling, try a bite of this; it’s your favorite.”
Frank studied her dreamy blue eyes and waited for his wife of sixty-two years.
“Honey, Suze made this especially for you. Remember how much you loved to pick berries each summer in Kennebunk? Of course I’d never say it to her, but our girl’s piecrust can’t hold a candle to yours… Still, she baked it with love.”
Their song came on the sound system and Betty smiled.
“I love this song, it reminds me… Tell me again, who are you? It’s so kind of you to visit me.”
* * *
Help Me Reach My Goals! I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 700 likes in 2015. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, where I’m forced to be brief. Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. I love to hear what readers think. Honest, positive or constructive feedback is always welcome. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, with no spam. If you see ads on this page, please let me know. They shouldn’t be there. ©2014 Please note, that all content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, please give proper credit. Plagiarism sucks.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Perfect
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Thank you, Audra. That means a lot. xo
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This is so sweet and yet so sad and written beautifully!
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Thanks so much Priceless Joy. Dementia is indeed filled with such complex layers.
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It certainly is. My dear friend is suffering with it. I went and picked her up today and we ran around together and then had lunch. As time goes on, I lose her a little bit more. Sadly.
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I hear you. I went through it with my mom, and it was ruthless. I’m so sorry about your friend.
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Thank you. As you know, it is a difficult thing to watch.
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That is exactly what I was thinking as soon as I saw the photo prompt. Something about the wafting music of a band in a park, sure to reawaken even the most distant and lost memories. Beautiful.
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Great minds… that and the fact that you, me and Jen (Jenny’s Lark) are sisters from another mother. 😉 I saw the photo yesterday and knew where I’d go; I just had to find the time to go there. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jen.
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That is both beautiful and painful.
Thank you for letting me read this.
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Thank YOU for taking the time to read it, Guapo. I always appreciate your feedback.
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Sad, poignant, well told.
Nicely done.
KT
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Thanks so much KT; much appreciated.
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So touching but also heartbreaking. Well done.
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Thanks Carrie. As a physician, you know how hopeless dementia can feel, for all involved. Thanks for taking the time.
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Lovely!
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Thanks so much, Wien, and welcome to Tales From the Motherland! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
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Very sad but beautifully crafted.
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Thanks so much Mick. I appreciate you stopping by Tales From the Motherland, and your kind feedback.
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Great job highlighting the different layers of dementia. I’ve written a few stories about this desperately sad illness over the years, it is such a huge burden caring for someone suffering it and so sad as you watch the vibrant person you knew disappear before your eyes.
Well done Dawn.
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So true, Dee. A horrifying experience for all involved… I’m glad you enjoyed this.
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A beautiful, heartfelt piece,brought a tear to my eyes.
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I used to go to the nursing home once or twice a week when Mom was there. There was a man who came every day and spent hours with this wife. She didn’t have a clue who he was, or sometimes that he was even there, but it didn’t dissuade him from coming. I was in awe of a love that strong.
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My neighbor does the same for her husband… but I also know that it’s truly breaking her heart. He really doesn’t know her at all anymore. Such a devastating way to end those years together. Thanks for sharing, Russell.
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So many of us are dealing with this we can relate to this story. Thanks for making it heartwarming. It’s not always that way.
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No, it certainly isn’t. It’s truly awful, Dawn. The Bitter, far outweighs the sweet, in most cases. Thanks for reading.
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So sad and sweet, Dawn. You captured the feelings so well in this short piece.
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Thanks Cathy. Hard topic to wrestle, but this photo took me right there.
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“I love this song, it reminds me… Tell me again, who are you? It’s so kind of you to visit me.” ❤
My grandpa (mom's side) and grandma (dad's side) have dementia, so this hits very close to home. To be able to see all of someone (who they are) and to be able to remember who they are to you are two precious things. I tried not to cry in front of my grandpa when I last visited him, but I couldn't help it. He helped wipe my tears away, but he couldn't understand why I was sad (especially when I saw glimpses of his "old" self). Thanks for sharing this great piece and touching our hearts.
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It is such a painful and cruel way to age… I’m so sorry you are facing this with two people you love. Thanks for reading my story and sharing your very touching, personal feedback… And thanks for joining TFTM; I appreciate your time.
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poignant and heart breaking….kudos.
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Thank you so much, Shivangi. Welcome to TFTM! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment; it is much appreciated.
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It is a fabulous challenge!
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Dawn, this is so dear. The love the couple shared/shares shines through, even though one half is “missing”. Nicely done. Alicia
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Thanks Alicia. I think that love always prevails… in some form. I appreciate your feedback. 🙂
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Dementia seems to be reaching epidemic proportions and it is truly awful. It’s even worse if the sufferer has no family. The recent discoveries of cruelty to the aged in homes – especially victims of this disease – have enraged me. At least ‘they’ are putting some money into research now. I hope I die in my sleep, like Picasso. Sorry you went through this with your mother.
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I agree, these isolated stories of abuse (there are many, but still not common) are especially horrifying, in that it seem sos wrong that someone should read as certain age and be treated that way. And yes, in my sleep would be perfect… preferably at a ripe old age! 😉
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I hate Alzheimer’s.
Still – a nice story.
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I hate all forms of dementia… but I’m glad you liked the story, Randy! 🙂
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Beautifully sad. Well done. 🙂
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Thanks so much; I really appreciate your feedback.
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Bitter sweet and nicely told.
Tracey
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Thanks so much Tracey. I appreciate you stopping by Tales From the Motherland.
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Lovely story, Dawn. We went through it with my mother who had Alzheimer’s. I think she knew we were family, but that was about it. She enjoyed our visits though, and they took good care of her at the nursing home. Well done as always.
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Such a very difficult thing to get through, Suzanne. I’m so sorry your family suffered through it with a loved one. Thanks for sharing your story; I appreciate your generosity.
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Beautiful story. It’s so hard to watch someone slip away right before your eyes. The taste of the pie… The sound of the music…are triggers that could bring her back to him, if only for a moment.
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Those triggers are bitter sweet, aren’t they. To have someone back, for a moment, is almost cruel. But then, perhaps that brief moment makes the rest a bit more bearable. Thanks, Jan; I appreciate your feedback.
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Heartbreakingly lovely. Reminds of so many visits with my grandma after dementia set in. So difficult for all.
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Perfectly portrayed but painfully sad.
AnElephant weeps.
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Oh this made me sad, yet they are trying their best to break through those sad barriers of dementia.
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I think at a certain point, those dealing with dementia know that they must just accept it. We are drawn to connect, even when we know the connections have faded. Sad, indeed, but I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
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Dear Dawn,
A sweet, sad song, isn’t it. Life is hard sometimes. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Mahalo Doug. Life is hard for sure, sometimes… but sweet as well. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Dawn
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Dear Dawn,
It’s heartbreaking to see a loved one slip away in that way. Death is kinder. Sweetly written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I could not agree more. I know that sounds wrong, but I know for my mother… it was much easier to see her die, than to see her fade away slowly… painfully. Thanks Rochelle.
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Dear Dawn, Wonderful and poignant story! Just perfect! Nan
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Dawn, this is right on so many levels, although sad too. They say music can cut through dementia.
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I’ve read some very interesting articles about music and dementia, and while I didn’t see it, I know there was a documentary about just that, fairly recently.
Thanks for your kind feedback, Dave; it’s much appreciated.
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Your descriptive details are beautiful – her eyes, the berries, the pie crust, the song. They make the scene come alive. So sad.
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Thanks Margaret; that is so nice of you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Dawn, this manages to be both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Beautiful in his love and dedication and heartbreaking because only one of them still remembers. I love that the music reaches her and makes sense to her in a way that her surroundings cannot.
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Thanks so much Siobhan. Something about that photo really touched me; I’m glad that the story spoke to others. Thanks for taking the time.
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The sadness of aging brought into a beautiful colorful story of a special moment. 😎
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Thanks so much Isadora, and welcome to Tales From the Motherland. I appreciate your kind feedback, and the time you took to read and comment.
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Sad, but filled with love. What more can we do, right? Beautiful as ever, Dawn.
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Thank you so much, Loré; you are so kind. I’m ever grateful for your kind support.
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