Each week Friday Fictioneers serves up a challenge: to write a 100-word story, from a photo prompt. This week’s photo was provided by the talented Sandra Crook. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields herds this ever-growing group of writers and I am grateful for her integrity, kindness and commitment. I am grateful for the wonderful group members who have supported my writing for 2+ years now. When I miss a week, I am always disappointed. Thank you all, and may you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you are celebrating it.
If you would like to join Friday Fictioneers, or would like to check out the many other wonderful stories, please stop by Rochelle’s blog Addicted To Purple, for more details. As always, I welcome honest, constructive feedback. I try to do the same.
© Sandra Crook
A Long Hard Path
All of her thoughts were dark. A sense of hopelessness permeated each day. As she set out, in the dim early light, she knew that despite any pain she might cause those she loved, it would be better… in the end.
The path was steep. Each step a pilgrimage, she drew in deep breaths and thought of the struggle, year in and year out, to find balance and peace. Each step a prayer–– forgive me; I’m sorry… one foot in front of the other.
Legs heavy, heart racing, she reached the top of the bluff, and paused, as the sun rose.
(Word count: 101)
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Help Me Reach My Goals! KAPOW! The Tales From the Motherland Facebook page recently hit the 2015 goal of 800 likes (which I set after hitting the 700 mark)! I’m going big for the next year and aiming for 1,000!! Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, LeBron James does (yes, for real)! Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. Honest, constructive feedback is always appreciated. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, no spam. ©2015 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, I’m grateful, but please give proper credit; plagiarism sucks!
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
That’s a good one, Dawn. Matches the photo brilliantly.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Thanks Carrie… that path up the hill looked brutal. It got me wondering what you might be thinking as you climbed, and why you’d go up there in the first place. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Well written if somewhat bleak piece of the end of the road.
Or does the new dawn, Dawn, cause her to think again…
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I wanted to leave that up to the reader, CE, but for me… I believe we can always find a new path. I agree, however, when you are in a dark place, it is indeed bleak. Thanks for your feedback!
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That’s pretty dark for a picture I felt is very optimistic. But I expect her deep sadness (depression?) changes one’s view of the world.
I’m hoping that pause with the rising sun helps change her mind.
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That’s the beauty of FF, Patrick: one viewers optimism is another’s darkness. 😉 I think the photo could go so many ways. The cliff could be seen for the sheer, beautiful, natural wonder it is, a place to view or even climb, or it is a place to leap from. I love that each week, the various contributors see such different things. And the feedback, I love getting the feedback. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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I’m assuming she is there to commit suicide…but the pause at the end gives me hope that she may have changed her mind. Good piece.
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You assumed correctly and may indeed have hope… or not. 😉 I’ve left that up to the reader. Thanks so much for sharing your take; it’s much appreciated.
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I’m hoping she didn’t go through with it. I think you caught the despair beautifully. Well done Dawn. (It’s Crook, by the way. – I once had a story published where they called me Sandra Cook – grrrr!)
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UGH! I’m so sorry Sandra Crook! I do know that, and just missed the typo. I hate that too, and apologize for doing to to you. xo
Thanks for the feedback; the photo was wonderfully inspiring. I actually was tempted to submit more than one story this week.
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I hope that after such a climb she would find the path going down easier… it’s rarely the best option to jump, the weight of climbing so well captured.
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Thanks Björn… rarely the best option, indeed. I wanted the climb to be a motivation for reconsideration. Each step a pilgrimage. Thanks for your thoughts.
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So sad to feel such despair. The pause gives me hope.
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It’s a dark place to be, for sure… and yes, I hope the pause means that too. Thanks Louise!
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I read this as hope. Beautiful.
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I’m happy that each reader can take away what they see from the photo and my words. Thanks M!
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I too hope the vista renews her.
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We’re a hopeful bunch for sure! For some, there is no more hope… but I agree, that the right view can turn many things around. Thanks Dawn. 🙂
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Dear Dawn,
I felt each ache in every step. I only hope that the sunrise changed her mind. (That’s how I read it.) Beautifully written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Some days, for some people, each step is a burden… and then, there’s a fresh new perspective, a better view. Something to hold on to. Thanks for your kind words; they are always appreciated. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: The Sun Always Rises… | ugiridharaprasad
Thanks for sharing my work; it’s much appreciated.
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I am told exercise can help ease depression.
Good piece.
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Thanks Mick; much appreciated!
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I hope the physical exercise and the sunrise lifted her spirits.
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I do too, Liz. Thanks for stopping by; it’s much appreciated. 🙂
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Oh how wonderful the sunrise gave her pause. Maybe it was just enough to see all was not as grim as she thought.
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Hopefully she is able to see the beauty in that sunrise. Thanks Dale!
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For me, it ends on a hopeful note. To accomplish something as hard as that climb and be greeted by the sun at the beginning of another day…There is always a reason to go on. Loved it!
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You capture the depth of despair so well, Dawn. Hope at sunrise or despair at dawn. One of your best Friday Fict. I think! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
Audra
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Thanks Audra. That means so much, especially coming from you. My Thanksgiving was very nice. I hope you had your girl home and things were happy in your home?
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Ah yes Dawn, both of my gals came home. So good to have them here– happy indeed. Thanks for asking
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I once considered jumping off a curb, but the thought of a four inch fall frightened me. What if it hurt my bunions? Oh, the pain, the agony. So I decided to take the coward’s way out and become a writer instead.
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And a writer you are, indeed, dear Russell. Thanks for always adding humor and levity to my world. I love that!
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I love the ambiguity of the ending. Excellent.
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Thanks so much Laura, and welcome to Tales From the Motherland. I appreciate your feedback!
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Her walk was timed so perfectly with the sun rise. That’s got to be a good sign. Beautiful story. Happy Thanksgiving, Dawn! (a little late) 🙂
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Thanks Amy… a sunrise walk is bound to bring inspiration, one way or another. Happy Thanksgiving to you too! xo
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I’m so glad she’s made it and her gloom at least partially dispelled. It should happen for us all.
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Thanks Perry. I’m glad you read it that way. I left it hanging, but I’m not sue how I envision it. Great hearing from you, as always. 🙂
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A very gripping description of despair. I hope the rising sun penetrates the darkness in her heart. But it could also be an incentive to have something so beautiful be the last thing she sees. You never know where depression leads people.
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Exactly! I’m honored that you read this and got the story I was telling. Thanks for stopping by Gah; it’s much appreciated!
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this is as good as it gets. very nice.
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Thanks so much Plaridel; that is much appreciated!
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Nice capture of the mindset of a suicide victim . The lies they tell themselves are all-consuming. It is never better for those left behind.
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Joseph, you are so right: it is never better… for anyone. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your feedback; it’s much appreciated.
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I’d like to think the dawn filled her with an epiphany that gave her the strength to go on.
A sad visual as I read it. As women, we can identify with the struggles of having to be strong.
Touching and powerful …..
Isadora 😎
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Thanks Isadora. I think that we do hold so much in our hearts… and sometimes it feels like too much. Thanks for your feedback; it’s much appreciated.
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Great description of her inner thoughts on the way up, Dawn. Hopefully that sunrise caused her to be more hopeful at last. Well written as always. —- Suzanne
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We can only imagine, Suzanne… that’s what I love about FF!
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