Friday Fictioneers: On The Day You Were Born

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Dawn Quyle Landau

This Tuesday I will fly to New York City and accept an award from BlogHer as a Voices of the Year, 2015. I’ll get to meet lots of other bloggers and enjoy a few days in a great city. From there I’ll spend a few days with family and friends, and a few ghosts. And then, then…. the icing on the sweetest cake possible: I fly to Israel to become a grammy. My little girl will have her first baby, and I can think of little else. When I saw this photo, I knew just where I’d go. As always, honest, constructive feedback is welcome.

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly flash fiction challenge, which draws in writers from all over the world. Visit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog Addicted to Purple to join in or read more stories.

© Stephen Baum

© Stephen Baum

On The Day You Were Born

As I wipe her forehead, and stroke her sweaty hair, I remember the moment I first held my daughter. Her mop of dark hair was shocking, and gorgeous; her tiny face– the most amazing thing I’d ever seen.

I watch my baby breathe and push, breathe and push, preparing to meet her own child, and my heart swells and bursts–– sending glittery joy all around.

Sweet baby: come toward the light. Join this circle of love. There’s a spot right here in the middle, with your name on it. I can’t wait to hold you close. Come toward the light.

(100 words)

*     *     *

GIPYHelp Me Reach My Goals! I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 800 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.

About Dawn Quyle Landau

Mother, Writer, treasure hunter, aging red head, and sushi lover. This is my view on life, "Straight up, with a twist––" because life is too short to be subtle! Featured blogger for Huffington Post, and followed on Twitter by LeBron James– for reasons beyond my comprehension.
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74 Responses to Friday Fictioneers: On The Day You Were Born

  1. Valery says:
    July 10, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    Love this! Got me all misty-eyed! Such an amazing journey!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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  4. Snow's Fissures and Fractures says:
    July 10, 2015 at 10:28 pm

    Where’s that tissue? What a sweet, sweet story. Many happy days come before you, enjoy the most of it.

    Like

    Reply
  5. cyclingrandma says:
    July 11, 2015 at 4:03 am

    any time in NYC Thurs? email me. xo
    so exciting,congrats on the award.

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    Reply
    • Dawn Quyle Landau says:
      July 11, 2015 at 9:17 am

      Thanks so much Lisa! Thursday is totally full! The conference is all day all night hoopla, with nary a moment to explore! I’m spending Wednesday with my niece and nephew and Sunday night with a childhood BFF, and there goes my entire stay! The good news is that we love NYC and I will be back! AND, you need to see this part of the country! 🙂

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  6. rochellewisoff says:
    July 11, 2015 at 4:06 am

    Dear Dawn,

    Beautiful, simply beautiful. Congrats on the award and upon becoming savta.

    Safe travels and shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Jan Brown says:
    July 11, 2015 at 5:45 am

    Congratulations, bith on the award and on your new status as grandmother! The story is a wonderful celebration of life.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. bodhisattvaintraining says:
    July 11, 2015 at 6:00 am

    Lovely! and such exciting days ahead. congrats on the BlogHer award – would love to be there at the same time !!

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  9. rgayer55 says:
    July 11, 2015 at 7:34 am

    Wow, you’re on a roll, Dawn. Congrats on the award and even more so on the grandchild. We certainly enjoy ours. Loved the story. Beautifully told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. storydivamg says:
    July 11, 2015 at 9:19 am

    Congratulations–most of all on the soon-coming bundle of joy, but also on your blogging success. A little nit to note: I think you left of the final “e” in breathe a couple time. 😉

    Best wishes and safety to you in your travels.

    Hugs,
    Marie Gail

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Dawn Quyle Landau says:
      July 11, 2015 at 9:25 am

      Eek! I’ll go back and check that MG; thanks! (and you left off the f in off 😉 ) I hate when I post something; it gets read by y’all and then I find out I had typos! Argh. I always appreciate your thoughtful, good eye! Thanks for having my back. xo

      Liked by 1 person

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      • storydivamg says:
        July 11, 2015 at 9:30 am

        Oops! I’m sorry about that. There’s nothing more embarrassing than proofreading someone else’s work and leaving a typo in the comments. *blushes*

        I wouldn’t worry too much about a typo or two in your blog, Dawn. I only mentioned this because I knew you would rather fix it than leave it. I’ve been having a terrible time with typos recently, and I would always rather a reader point them out then let me carry on, oblivious, while others point and laugh. It’s like the blogging version of toilet paper on the bottom of my shoe.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  11. Suzanne Joshi says:
    July 11, 2015 at 9:30 am

    Beautiful story, Dawn. Congratulations once more and blessings on you, your family, and your daughter’s family, especially on your daughter and your expected grandchild. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  12. Inside the Mind of Isadora says:
    July 11, 2015 at 11:31 am

    The total experience summed up in 100 beautiful words. A teary happy read. 😊
    Have a great trip and return safely. Looking forward to all of your new news.
    Congratulations !!!!
    Isadora 😊❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. jlouisemac says:
    July 11, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Congrats on your award and enjoy your exploring

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    Reply
  14. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) says:
    July 11, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    Excellent piece. It’s always better when it comes from the heart.. And many congratulations 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. gahlearner says:
    July 11, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    That’s a lovely celebration of family. Congrats to your award and to becoming a grammy.

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  16. Amy Reese says:
    July 11, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    Oh, what a joyous beginning! Congrats to you and your grandchild. How exciting and what a great story for the prompt!!

    Like

    Reply
  17. jgroeber says:
    July 11, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    Such exciting things! A beautiful post, an amazing grand baby coming, a super award, all for a dear Mama. You go, friend!!

    Like

    Reply
  18. Alicia Jamtaas says:
    July 11, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Gorgeous, all the way around.

    Like

    Reply
  19. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
    July 12, 2015 at 12:14 am

    Beautifully told. You really explained a deep feeling that mother has for daughter and the joy that a grandchild will bring. Congratulations on your award but particularly on becoming a grandma.

    Like

    Reply
  20. Sandra says:
    July 12, 2015 at 3:20 am

    Such a beautiful take on the prompt. Hope all goes well.

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    Reply
  21. Mike Lince says:
    July 12, 2015 at 10:07 am

    Congratulations,Dawn! First, for being aptly recognized for your writing at BlogHer. Second, for preparing to experience the greatest reward of parenting — becoming a grandparent! Your grandchild will one day discover how lucky he/she is to have your love and caring to nurture and support him/her. – Mike

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    • Dawn Quyle Landau says:
      July 12, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Thanks Mike. I hope that I’ll be able to share that with this baby… the distance is daunting, but something tells me I’ll be racking up air miles! Such an exciting time, and such a wonderful club I get to join. I’ve gotten to learn from Masters, my friend. I will be reading by Skype too! 😉 xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. patrickprinsloo says:
    July 12, 2015 at 10:18 am

    That’s a great prayer you’ve written. Lovely.

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    Reply
  23. Priceless Joy says:
    July 12, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Wonderful Dawn! And, even more so since you will be welcoming your grandbaby soon!

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    Reply
  24. ahtdoucette says:
    July 12, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    A beautiful, and timely, response to the prompt. Aww.. 🙂 Congrats on your achievements and safe travels!

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    Reply
  25. Norma says:
    July 13, 2015 at 2:21 am

    Excellent writing, Dawn. Congrats for the award and becoming a granny. Have a safe journey and many happy days ahead. 🙂

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    Reply
  26. Jan Wilberg says:
    July 13, 2015 at 5:23 am

    Look forward to meeting you at BlogHer!

    Like

    Reply
  27. ansumani says:
    July 13, 2015 at 11:47 am

    Congratulations on the new arrival. If all the babies born in the world were welcomed with so much love, the world would be heaven . Beautiful story.

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    Reply
  28. liz young says:
    July 13, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    This is lovely and rings a thousand bells! I have two new granddaughters born this year – one in England and one in Canada. Congratulations on yours. It’s an amazing feeling, isn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  29. David Stewart says:
    July 13, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    That’s really beautiful, Dawn. Congratulations on the award too. Enjoy NYC. 🙂

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  30. Margaret says:
    July 14, 2015 at 4:18 am

    You’ve captured the joy of welcoming a new baby superbly in your story. Congratulations on the new grandchild, too. My eldest had a birthday this week, and reading your story has set me remembering her arrival all over again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  31. micklively says:
    July 14, 2015 at 5:43 am

    Concrete birth canal?
    Good piece.

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  32. hbksloss says:
    July 15, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    Sweet and poetic and lovely. Have a great time in NYC and Israel!

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