Snails had almost eaten the paper, but the writing on the label was my mother’s. I’d decided to tackle the sunroom last, after I’d gone through the rest of the house making piles: keep, charity, ditch. A lifetime of parental belongings. The warm smell reminded me of silent meals, my mother picking at her food, me itching to get down and play, unaware of things unsaid.
I would have thrown the jar away, except the date on the label was my birthday. Inside was a curl of baby hair, the same shade as my own.
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This is a 100-word flash fiction story inspired by the photo above provided by Sarah Potter. And it’s part of the Friday Fictioneers group of writers, run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Click here to join in and write your own, or here to read some more.
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Find out more about my latest novel, Swimming Lessons, published by Fig Tree / Penguin (UK), Tin House (US), House of Anansi (Canada), and Piper (Germany).
Dear Claire,
This brings back memories for me. After my mother passed away I had to go through her things. Among them I found a baby dress and the braid from my first haircut when I was six. Lovely story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I’m guessing that the reason you didn’t link your post to the inLinkz is because you’re having the same technical difficulty that Sandra and I are having. 🙁
Thanks, Rochelle, glad you liked it. Yes, I am having a problem linking. And I’m a bit worried now that when it does work there will be about 30 of my links!
As I told Sandra, if there are I will delete them. meanwhile, some have had success but I’m not among them. 🙁
Same for me, Rochelle. The tiniest lock of hair from my first haircut! Took my sisters and me a long time to figure out which daughter the little wisps came from.
Lovely piece, Claire. Sentimental and sweet. I also am unable to post to the link-up, but they are doing some server upgrades today and likely have many issues.
Ahh, I wondered what was going on. I’ve tried so many times now, that I’m a bit worried that when it does work there will be about 30 of my links! Glad you liked this piece.
That was a lovely story, Claire. We had to go through my mother’s things but not because she has moved on, because we moved her! Found some gems there…
By the way, I’m helping Rochelle with some linkups – did hers, Sandra’s and now doing yours… 😉
I still find it odd, if not annoying, that the facilitator (who pays for the service) can’t even link. At any rate, THANK YOU, DALE!
You are most welcome, dear Hostess with the Mostest!
Thanks so much Dale! And glad you enjoyed the story.
You are most welcome.
And I enjoy all your stories… 😉
You’re a star, Dale.
A timeley reminder to burn all incriminating mementoes before someone goes through my stuff
Hah! Yes.
A lovely wistful story.
Thank you.
Lovely story. I have piles of keep/charity/ditch stuff all over my house.
Hah! Me too.
A poignant vignette. We’ve all gone through it, or if we haven’t, we will.
Thanks, Sandra.
Love the “unaware of things unsaid.” Very touching and sad piece.
Thank you!
So very touching … such a lovely story , Claire.
Thank you!
A lovely story that is also laced with pangs of regret… the silent mother with a lively child, I feel that they really never connected.
Thanks Bjorn.
Nicely written as always Claire. 🙂
Thank you!
Such an exquisite story. You raise the bar each time Claire.
Thank you!
Sweet little story. I have a photograph of my mother aged 19 holding me aged one. Precious.
Thanks Liz. And that’s a lovely thing to own.
My mom kept absolutely everything. Easy for me to identify with this story.
I’ve been noticing comments about difficulty with the link. Mine worked perfectly yesterday, so I’m hoping it’s repaired now.
Thanks! And yes, I think the link is fixed now.
What a delightful story. Sadly if I came across a curl of my baby hair it would be a totally different colour from now!
‘Look at it now’ My story.
Hah! Me too. I don’t think I had grey baby hair…
Beautiful and evocative writing as always Claire
Thanks, Adrian.
Brought back memories of going through my mother’s house. I cried like a baby when I found a homemade birthday card I’d made for her 20 years earlier. Great writing, Claire.
Very nice and poignant, Claire. I have not gotten to that day in my life yet, but when I do, I know I’ll be in the best company of those who have.
Beautiful!
Me neither. But I’m sure it will come.
So poignant. And reminiscent of many true-life stories I’m sure.
Thanks, Sandra
Lovely.
Thanks, Alicia.
Sweet story, Claire. It’s difficult to go through a parent’s belongings when they’re gone. I felt like I was snooping when going through my dad’s dresser. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne
Awww…that is so sweet.
Thanks, Dawn
You imagination, Claire, your ability to link photographs to prose is astounding. Thanks again for posting.
Thank you!