I have been absent from Friday Fictioneers for about six months. In March I got the dreaded call, “It’s Mom, come quick” and flew to Denver, CO on the red-eye. My sisters and I stayed with our parents in the home we grew up in for three months helping Mom (92 years old) through hospice. She passed away in June. We resettled Dad (95 years old) in an assisted living home near my sisters in Eckert, CO. He died of a broken heart (I’m absolutely sure) on August 31st. Soon I will be returning to Denver for his funeral. So, if I remain spotty in reading your submissions, forgive me. Thanks for “listening”.
Her mother told her that time heals all wounds
Liar
Not the ones that shatter the heart
and leave edges so jagged
and raggedy
they refuse to fit back together
no matter how often a friend
or acquaintance
tries to stitch them back together
with a salve of words or an awkward and untimely hug
Without question
some wounds are meant to be left
hanging
on the edge of life
lurking
in the rarely visited crevices of the mind
waiting
to rise up to remind
the wounded that they are not healed
and never will be
Up From the Ashes 
That’s raw and powerful
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Thanks so much
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Oh Alicia! I was reluctant to hit the like button. Sending you a massive hug xx
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Thanks, all hugs are appreciated.
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I had no idea you were going through so much. my heart hurts for you. Both of my parents are gone now too. My mother died many years ago at the age of 59. A few years after that my father’s mother (my grandmother) died, she was 95. I held my father’s hand and said, “It doesn’t matter how old, it sucks when your mom dies.” Truer words I never spoke. {{Hugs}} to you for the loss of BOTH of your parents.
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I tried not to hang my heart “out there” while in Denver. I’m just now feeling like I can let the FF clan know why I’ve been gone. Missed everyone A LOT. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
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Oh, so wonderfully expressed. I too lost both my elderly parents this past January. Mom was ill and became very depressed. She chose to end her own life and Dad (with his own list ailments) insisted he would go with her. He wouldn’t be left behind alone. Your words bring a tear to my eye.
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Thanks for sharing your story. My heart goes out to you. Long before Mom became ill she said she wouldn’t be able to live after Dad died. The tables were turned.
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Dear Alicia,
My heart goes out to you. And your poem is so well written and true. Sending hugs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you. One can’t be surprised by the death of parents; it’s the reactions that are a surprise. You’ve been with me through part of this journey and I appreciate all you’ve done. Shalom
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Dear Alicia,
I lost both of my parents over 30 years ago. The ache and longing are still there. I don’t care how much you expect it, you’re never ready for it. More hugs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely, very touching words. I hope you and your family help each other through these difficult times.
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Thanks and we will. I appreciate your stopping by to read “Time”
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this one is powerful. well written!
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Thanks so very much.
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Alicia, first your story that touched my heart, and my thoughts are with you… then that poem… I’m sure you are right, it’s like a wound that never heals… but maybe we can get used to have scars instead of skin…
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Scars instead of skin. Yes. A good thought. Thanks, Bjorn.
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Like is, unfortunately, the only button of choice. I’m very touched by your story and I’m with you in thoughts for all that is going on in your life right now
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Thanks Thanks Thanks
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A stunning piece of writing. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family xx
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Thanks, Clare! I appreciate your stopping by to read “Time”. P.S. my middle sister’s name is Clare. It’s such a lovely, warm and inviting name, don’t you think?
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Thanks Alicia. I’ve always liked it! 😀 Hugs x
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So sorry to hear about your loss.
Sending you virtual hugs and prays for strength to smile beyond the present situation.
Great story.
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Hugs and prays received. Thanks.
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A powerful piece and so heartfelt for you at moment, sending thoughts and a smiley face 😉 (save it for later)
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Thanks, Helen. I will put the smiley faces in my pocket and draw them out as needed.
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What a powerful piece, Alicia. My heart aches. I’m so sorry for your loss and all that you must be going through. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Big hugs. xo
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Thank you, Amy. Another thing my mom used to say was, “This, too, will pass.” I appreciate your offer of help. Hugs to you.
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Great piece, and so sorry to hear about your parents. I was wondering where you were.
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Thank you and thank you. Plus, it’s nice to know I was missed!
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Again, I’m so sorry. Losing both parents in such a short time must be extremely painful. Seeing them suffer for a long time is another kind of pain. Your story is powerful and true. Nothing can help when the pain is raw. Each scar is a piece of our lives.
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Indeed. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your kind thoughts.
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This has been such a sad time for you. I knew you were missing from FF but it didn’t seem to be quite so long. It’s clear that your emotions are still raw. Wonderful stuff.
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Thanks, Sandra. It seems like I was in Denver forever – stuck in a weird Twilight Zone. Glad to have been there, happy to home.
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Life has all manner of ways of testing us. I felt that both of my parents were invincible, Both being active and sharp in their 80’s, now they are gone.
Time may change the nature of the pain, but those we loved are never forgotten by us. Thank you for your poem, and a hug to you and your family.
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Hug received. Thanks.
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I love your poem and recognise that feeling that the outside world wants you to get over the pain, to heal and get back to normal too, too quickly. Powerfully and beautifully put.
Thinking of you and sending my love.
Miranda
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Thanks so much.
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Like you, my parents lived into their nineties. We were blessed to have them so long, and mine were relatively healthy until the last couple of years of their lives. Some people complain about getting old, but it’s a privilege not everyone gets.
Great poem. I could relate with the emotions.
P.S. – feel free to diagram my sentences. 🙂
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Thanks for all your good thoughts. My folks lived in their house for 63 years – right up until Mom died and we moved Dad. Crazy good luck.
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My condolences and its nice to have you back.
A beautifully written piece.
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Thanks so very much.
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YES, this is what early grief feels like. The edges become a little softer over time and that is a blessing. I hope you will be blessed with healing at whatever pace feels right.
Tracey
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I know I will be. Thanks, Tracey.
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Heartfelt poem and many heartfelt condolences, Alicia, on the loss of your parents. I know it’s been rough for you and your family. You have been VERY missed by us. May their memories be for a blessing. “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”
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Thank you so very much for your kind words.
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Hard words to read but hope they’re cathartic for you to a small degree at least. Bravely written
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Somehow writing down the words always helps. Thanks so much.
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Wow! Tragically beautiful. I am so sorry to hear about your parents! But what a beautiful love they must have shared and what long lives they were given together.
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Thanks for your kind words. They truly loved one another – witnessed not only by the way they still held hands in their 90’s but by the sweet love notes we found tucked within the lists of books, poems and travelogues my mother kept.
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Oh how beautiful!!
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So beautifully penned, brought a lump to my throat. My condolences on your loss. I recently lost my father – the practical side of me knew this was going to happen sooner or later but the emotional side just refuses to accept and move on. I try to keep the emotional side buried with practicalities but it manages to rear up at the oddest of times – like now. Take care.
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Thanks, Dahlia. I guess one just doesn’t know what to expect when a parent dies. We know it’s coming but…
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Yes, no matter how much one ‘knows’ one is never really prepared…
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I clicked ‘like’ because your poem is outstanding. It oozes the pain of heartache.
I’m sorry for your loss. Death is never something we can prepare for. I hope you find comfort in your fond memories that will always be there. Blessings to you and your family.
Isadora 😎
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Wow! Thanks for all your kind words.
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🙏🏻
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I’m so sorry you had to lose both your parents so close together. That’s rough. My dad died suddenly at age 83 of a heart attack during a nap in 1980. My mother died years later at almost 93 in 1994. We lost her gradually to Alheimer’s. It always hurts. That was years ago and I still miss them. I write about them and it helps. I see them also in our children. My prayers will be with you, Alicia. ❤ — Suzanne
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I appreciate your sharing your story. Both my parents lived to a good age and were pretty dang healthy until the end. I’m sorry you had to go through Alzheimers with your mom. That would be hard.
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And yet I will offer a hug to you anyway because although the pieces may never fit together again, enough hug can blunt the jagged edges.
Hugs for the loss of your parents.
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Thanks, hugs are always nice. ; -)
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