Photo by Roger Bultot
pa·tri·ot
noun: patriot; plural noun: patriots; noun: Patriot
- 1. A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.
I consider myself a patriot, but I won’t subscribe to any platform’s self-imposed definition. My act of patriotism is to be a truth teller, a fact seeker, and a beacon of hope. That is my commitment, outlined here in another personal essay. I want to follow the guidelines of this forum and not mix ideology with Flash Fiction. So on that note, here is my story for the week.
Word Count: 100
Processing Loss
Pulling into the parking lot, Evelyn heaved a sigh of relief. The worst of the drive was over; home was only another hour away. Resting her heavy head against the steering wheel, she hoped the sadness passed before she stepped into the diner.
Grief’s grip was strong, her loss acute. She brushed errant tears away with a few cleansing breaths. In with hope, out with despair. Repeat.
Following the short service, his ashes were released over the river. Tiny pieces of her heart now floated on the mighty Columbia, heading for the ocean. Life would never be the same.
© Erin Leary
To see other Friday Flash Fiction stories, please see here. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting, as always!
Wonderful description of grief… it can so much seem impossible… but you did it so well..
I think our values and ideology are an inescapable part of who we are, and what we write. The trick is to use it in the service of your fiction, rather than vice versa
Wow, this hit close to home. One of our neighbors, and a good friend, died of a massive heart attack a week before Thanksgiving. You captured exactly what his wife is dealing with today. Sometimes the look in her eyes just breaks my heart. We try to do everything we can to help, but grief is such a heavy (and personal) burden.
That’s a very telling description of grief. The relentless wave upon wave of it…
Dear Erin,
Powerful portrait of grief. Beautifully written.
Holiday Shalom,
Rochelle
Sometimes the only thing we can do is breath in and breath out. Merry Christmas Erin.
Tracey
Beautifully written, captures the emotions so well.