Picture courtesy of Marie Gail Stratford
At work, one of the things we try to avoid is having information get ‘siloed’ – meaning stuck in one group and not shared across the organization. We are good at keeping things to ourselves, assuming others will share it or people will figure it out. Sometimes it’s just as simple as forwarding an email. Other times, it’s more difficult and requires human interaction and dialogue. It makes me think about what if…
Word count: 99
Siloed
The last of the ashes skimmed across the breeze and settled on the landscape. This was where she wanted to be, her final rest.
James looked around, puzzled at her choice. Anne’s death had been sudden but he found her final wishes to be clear and specific. “Scatter me in the field behind the house, near the silo” she’d written.
He wondered what drew her here, a desolate place. He wandered the field, sensing her absence, wishing again that he’d told her how he felt about her.
Too late, he thought. Words left unsaid would haunt his remaining days.
© Erin Leary
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erinlearywrites 
This picture does remind me of loneliness and isolation. You chose an apt topic (and a different one) for your story. Make me wonder why he didn’t share with her his feelings if she trusted him to spread her ashes. Super writing!
Thanks for reading. I don’t know why they didn’t figure it out. It’s a sad thing for sure.
Sad story and interesting metaphor, people siloeing themselves. I hadn’t heard that term before, but yes, it’s an issue at my job too. Of course, then there’s the other problem, where you get tons of emails about things that don’t matter to you. But that’s what the Delete button is for. 🙂
I agree – it’s a fine line we walk in this digital age, isn’t it?
I have never heard that term before and wonder why we don’t use it at work. It’s certainly been the case for many years.
I love your story Erin, although it makes me sad.
Thanks, Dawn! I’m a slow reader again, but will read yours shortly!
Dear Erin,
I’ve never heard the term “siloed” before. Thanks for sharing it with us. I enjoyed the story even more after the explanation.
All my best,
Marie Gail
Thanks so much – heading off to read now. Looking forward to yours.
I work in business improvement. We use “silo mentality” to describe departments competing within the company, instead of working as a team.
I really like the way you’ve captured the squandered opportunity in this piece, Erin.
It’s a true problem and the bigger the company the more likely it will happen.
We shouldn’t put our feelings in silos.
We need to let others, especially a love ones, know how we feel.
Too late is too late. Best to express ourselves now.
Randy
Amen, Randy! So true.
poignant and yes, what we leave unsaid keeps haunting always
Thank you for reading!
The dreaded silo. If only people could communicate …Nice story.
Yes, we love to hide behind our walls.
Great story. Sad that he did not question her motives for her choice of the final resting place. Maybe she just liked the peacefulness of the area.
This was such a moving story. How sad that he couldn’t let her know how he felt.
Thank you, Margaret. It happens all too often.
Interesting term, and very useful, I got to remember that. She seems to have siloed something, too, as he has. Now she’s in that desolate place and reminds him of what he should do better in the future. Great story.
Thank you for reading!
We used that term at work all the time (so glad I no longer work there!)
As someone who must spread my husband’s ashes soon, this struck a chord. Mine didn’t want a field, he wanted to “swim with the fishes” in his favourite fishing places…
Dale, my condolences – what a sad thing. I’m with your husband. My ashes will go to sea when it’s my turn. It is where I feel most at peace. Blessings to you in your mission.
Thank you, Erin. Definitely none of that while tombstone thing for us! 🙂
Dear Erin,
It’s a good idea to let those we care about the most know how we feel for they can be taken so suddenly. Beautiful reminder in a hundred words. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Yes, indeed. No more silos for me.
Sadness, desolation and isolation and the silos we build in our lives. Beautifully written.
A familiar lament, I’m afraid. You penned it very well.
Thank you, Alicia.