“Now it’s my turn to let you go.”
That was all my comatose father needed to hear. The shallow rising and falling of his chest stopped and I was alone.
Friday Flash Fiction |
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“I remember when you taught me to ride a bike. You used to run behind me, holding the bicycle seat to give me more stability than the training wheels could. Then one day, you let go and I raced ahead of you. In my elation, I never thought what it must have been like for you. Did you rejoice with me at my new freedom, or were you terrified?
“Now it’s my turn to let you go.” That was all my comatose father needed to hear. The shallow rising and falling of his chest stopped and I was alone.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:47:58 pm
I can only imagine how difficult such a decision would be to make. I am glad that (for me, at least) this story is fiction.
Sue Clayton
6/12/2021 01:49:13 am
Lovely. She let him go to hopefully find a new freedom.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:48:31 pm
Thank you.
Pamela Kennedy
6/12/2021 09:35:58 am
Touching....so nicely done, Lynn.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:48:52 pm
Much appreciated, Pamela.
Gautam Sen
6/12/2021 11:07:10 am
Very subtle and impactful
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:49:19 pm
I'm glad you found it so.
Sandra James
6/12/2021 11:08:11 am
Beautiful, Lynn. A tribute to everyone who has gone through such a difficult time. Well done!
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:50:10 pm
Thank you, Sandra.
Candace Arthuria Williams
6/12/2021 12:32:27 pm
You let him go and God embraced him.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:52:25 pm
Well, fictional-me did, at any rate. I was driving to my parents' home when my own father passed.
Elizabeth Zahn
6/12/2021 05:56:20 pm
Allowing someone we love to let go...in peace. Well written
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:52:46 pm
Thank you, Elizabeth.
Dee Lorraine
6/12/2021 10:01:36 pm
He raised a thoughtful, sensitive, loving child. Thanks for a beautiful transition story, Lynn.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:54:03 pm
If I had had another few words to spare, I would have wanted to throw in an, "I love you, Dad." One hundred word maximums mean some tough writing choices sometimes. I'm glad the child's love came through despite that sentence's omission.
Peggy Gerber
6/12/2021 10:49:25 pm
It is very hard to let a parent go. Now she has her lovely memories.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:55:19 pm
The right choice isn't always the easy one, unfortunately.
Lynn Messing
7/12/2021 03:55:33 pm
Thank you, Don.
David Ngo
8/12/2021 01:24:31 am
Letting go is very hard, Lynn. For father to accept that we can, and for us to...
Lynn Messing
8/12/2021 01:49:11 am
I agree. Letting go of a loved one is always hard, regardless of circumstances. The circumstances just determine in what way the letting go is difficult.
Mary Wallace
8/12/2021 02:50:14 am
This was beautiful. The hardest thing is knowing the right time to let go.
Lynn Messing
8/12/2021 03:06:33 am
Thank you, Mary. I agree: Sometimes holding on is easier, even when it is not for the best.
Marjan Sierhuis
11/12/2021 11:35:16 pm
A beautifully written story, Lynn.
Lynn Messing
12/12/2021 12:21:19 am
Thank you, Marjan.
Lynn Messing
23/12/2021 02:02:55 am
Thank you, Jim. As I just wrote to Gordon, ironically, words are failing me now when I try to describe how much this validation of my writing means to me. Although I have written fanfic for many years, I only started writing original (non-fanfic) stories this year. I was truly honoured and humbled that my story even made it to the short list. I am gobsmacked (in the best possible way) that the story actually won.
Mimi Grouse
23/12/2021 07:40:19 am
Well done, Lynn. I'm sure your Dad's looking down on you with pride. God bless. xx
Lynn Messing
23/12/2021 02:34:25 pm
Thank you, Mimi. I wish I could share all of this with him. I know he would be happy for me.
Alyce
23/12/2021 10:43:30 pm
Congratulations, Lynn! So very happy for you. Beautiful story- well deserved.
Lynn Messing
23/12/2021 11:33:46 pm
Thank you, Alyce. I appreciate your taking the time to leave feedback.
Meredith Chiwenkpe Asuru
20/1/2022 04:45:51 am
I feel connected to this story, having been in the same room with my dad until the shallow rising and falling of his chest ceased. Thanks for sharing this.
Cassie Davis
24/1/2022 06:37:55 pm
Very well written and hitting the nail on the head.So often we won't let because we are thinking of pain and impending discomfort instead releasing one who truly suffering but trying to hold please you.Thank you painting the real picture.💝
Lynn Messing
24/1/2022 07:01:52 pm
Hello Cassie. Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. I'm glad that this story resonated with you. Comments are closed.
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