Sitting alone in a room lit only by Old Tannenbaum.
My grandmother sat...Unmoving.
With watery eyes and streaming tears, she wouldn't or couldn't speak.
"Grandma...Are you OK"?
(Louder)..."Grandma"?
Just then, my grandfather beckoned me to the kitchen.
'Son...Leave her be'
"Whats wrong with her Grandpa"?
'Nothing...She's remembering.
Someday you'll understand'!!!!
This scene actually happened to me about 50 years ago.
My Grandfather wasn't very 'book-smart', but this common/simple man was very wise!
As I now sit in front of my own lit tree...
Both my Grandparents are gone
My Mother is gone
My brother is gone
My daughter lives in The Czech Republic!!
And at age 60, his words are still ringing in my ears.
And you know what else?
I Finally Understand!!!!!
Next Friday is Christmas, so I think that we shall take a week off and return on Friday January 1st 2010. Enjoy the Holidays....And please remember....
Home is where the Heart is!
If you or anyone you know has written a Friday Flash 55,
Please come tell The G-Man.
I will visit, read, enjoy, comment...Then BOOK!
So from the most Jolly host from coast to coast...
Have a Kick Ass Holiday Week!!!
I'm having those memories too.
ReplyDeleteI have finished my 55.
You’ll find it
HERE.
.
But it’s a groaner.
a sweet memory..and one day we do understand...well done emotional 55 this week g-man.
ReplyDeletehoping all is well on your side, the back side that is.
have a great weekend!
mine is up.
We dragons have Holiday memories as well. it is a sad and happy time.
ReplyDeleteOur 55 is up
HERE.
Very touching Galen. I am not yet an orphan, but old enough to know we all end up that way. My 55 will be up later this evening. I'll post a link then.
ReplyDeleteYou overachieving early posters have forced me to post early, LOL! And Dr. John...This one isn't *sad*! Happy Friday/Thursday :P
ReplyDeletehttp://inappropriatesue.blogspot.com/2009/12/55-flash-fiction-friday-twelve-days-of.html
My grandmother did the same thing. So far I'm still pleading ignorance.
ReplyDeleteMine is here.
Oh wow G. I've already written mine for next week. One I think fits in with this one real nice. But it's kinda important that it go off on schedule. You'll understand when you're older;). So I'm gonna stick to the one for this week this week and hope that folks will remember to stop by next week for the Special Edition.
ReplyDeleteYour 55 this week resonates with me though. Probably more than anything else, this is a season for remembering for me too. The good the bad and the ugly.
And in your own words, have a kick-ass week-end!
That was lovely and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Galen.
ReplyDeleteYeah I hear ya....
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, Gman!
Oh wow, what a winner of a Christmas 55! This is my first Christmas that one of my *children* has to fly back home for the holidays--life is shifting. The tree stays the same, maybe that's why I love it so much.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
And all I wrote was an exploding turkey.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS and all that good stuff!!
Aww, g-man, you ol' softy. You just brought a tear to my eye. I'm too young to understand, darnit!
ReplyDeleteI'm up,
-smarmoofus
A most poignant and excellent Thursday 55, Galen. Happy Holidays!:)
ReplyDeleteI guess we're all having memories of one kind or another, G. I hope that you and all of our 55 friends have a wonder-rocked holiday. ♥
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I miss my Grandparents so much!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. :(
ReplyDeleteI've cried for lost relatives too... and some who aren't even lost yet.
Wonderful 55.
Mine is ready too... right here.
What a lovely 55 Galen! Something I'm sure I will reflect upon this Christmas when I celebrate with my family.
ReplyDeleteMy 55 has been posted.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday G-Man!
What a wonderful 55. I understand. All my grandparents and my parents are gone on ahead of me and I will take time to just sit and remember sometime in the rush of this season.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me to stop and remember.
My 55 will be hope in a moment.
PG
I loved your 55 today..I, too have those memories and understand. Here is my humble 55.
ReplyDeletehttp://bit.ly/5FzsUX
Namaste
Darned if your 55 didn't make me cry!
ReplyDeleteAnd I fully understand too. A special 55, Galen, thank you. :)
Have the best weekend!
My 55 is up. :)
I understand Grandma too. What a nice memory for you to have.
ReplyDeleteMy 55 is up as of midnight Pacific time. I don't know how to link it here. Anyone have simple instructions for me?
I'm up now. My 55 is HERE.
ReplyDeleteSweet and a great tribute to your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteThats all we get.
Mine is up
i do know exactly what he means!! GREAT 55!! mine is up too have a very merry christmas!!
ReplyDeleteOn of these days I will remember to post my 55 in advance.
ReplyDeleteMine is here
So very tender. I'm impressed, G-Man, but not a bit surprised. Have a wonderful, memory-filled and joyous Christmas. You deserve it!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine this week:
http://inlindenhills.blogspot.com/2009/12/flash-fiction-friday-tattoo-artist.html
Mr. K.I.A. --That' was a nice little scene. I can see your grandmother sitting by the tree and remembering.
ReplyDeleteHello to all. I've missed contributing and reading Flash 55s.
I thought I'd be back sooner, but it will probably be at least January until I start contributing again. My 95-yr-old mother started to decline quickly about 10 weeks ago and that was part of the reason I had to take a break. She died the day before Thanksgiving. Since then, I've been dealing with memorial service, probate, dispersing my mother's belongings, preparing her home for my niece to move in.
So ---no Flash 55 for me this week, but look for me in a few weeks.
Very cool 55. I have those same memories. Have a wonderful Holiday Season my friend. Mine is up HERE. Mele Kalikimaka :)
ReplyDeleteA poignant and important 55 you've got there.
ReplyDeleteYou'll find mine here.
The memories of loved ones when their gone it jerks the heart when you think of them. This will be the second year with out my father and it's really hard to deal with. But I'll remember all the good memories because he always made Christmas happen. I'm up and posted just follow the link below.
ReplyDeleteMarine Life
It's Friday already?
ReplyDeletetouching, g-man!
ReplyDeleteI get it. see you soon after your breather.
ReplyDeleteI love this G-man. this is the best. You're the best. Have the happiest holiday ever. Hey - thanks for being you. Sarah
ReplyDeleteIt's ironic in a way...tho this is a beautiful, warm and loving 55, I can see this through a child's eyes.
ReplyDeleteWe, at that age, wonder what's wrong...yet when we age, we KNOW the feeling, we're living it.
Lovely.
MY 55 is all about snow suits and the urge....come see HERE
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Yours is always the BEST!G-MAN
ReplyDeleteHAVE A SUPERB Xmas time!
Hi G-Man
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I'm doing some remembering myself this holiday. It's nice to be reminded I'm not alone in that.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
My 55 is up here
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteReflections are memorable...Certain ones stand out and make you remember...It brings joy into your life, even if or esp if the people you are remembering are no longer here on earth, but they still live in your heart :)
ReplyDeletei hope you enjoy your time off. enjoy your friends and those you care for most -- we'll see you next year!
ReplyDeletewarm smiles for some warm holiday cheer,
p.s. mine is up
I think Christmas does that to most of us...makes us reach back for the best memories. As a kid I joked that I didn't know WHY we took pictures every Christmas as they all looked the SAME, except for the clothes.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I understand. :) Thank you for sharing.
Mine's up. Here's wishing you and yours [that's ALL of you] a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hey there G,
ReplyDeleteI love your 55. I know those words mean a lot to me this year as well. I think the holidays are just those times when we get to remember those that are no longer with us or that are away at the special times of the year and the special times we had together and the memories we have made. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Hugs to you. Have a great weekend and my 55 is up.
Hi Everybody...
ReplyDeleteI have a VERY busy day at work today...YAY!!!
Please be patient with my responding ...It'l be later today after 7:00 pm!
You All Rock...Carry On...Galen
I understand too. Very touching 55 from a very sweet man. Merry Christmas G. Here's to the memories.
ReplyDeleteyou're gettin' all
ReplyDeletephilosophical on us,
G-manster...
you tryin' to make me cry??
ya, i've been
remembering a lot
lately...
now what the hell
are you going to do
with a whole week off?
anyway, have fun ...
home IS where the heart is,
you're right.
and Lana loves you
very much
and wishes you
a Merry Christmas
and a Happy Chanukah...!
xoxo
Happy Holidays! I know why you're taking the time off- You're really Santa!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful I have lots to remmeber - good and bad, but definitely rich.
ReplyDeleteSweet 55 G-man. I know what you mean about understanding - it does hit home when you get to 60.
ReplyDeleteI've already written a special 55 for christmas Day so I will post it anyway. :)
This made me remember too, and cry. Have a very lovely Holiday! Mine is up.
ReplyDeleteWoot woo!
ReplyDeleteCazzie!!!
Yes, I get it, too, Galen! Memories. And, boy, do I ever have them!
ReplyDeleteMine is up. D
Nicely written.
ReplyDeleteI finished my 55, and it wasn't easy.
I did not do one this week. That was a very moving 55 that you did. It sucks getting older.
ReplyDeleteAm young and i have lots of them which bring tears...Good one Gman.Nice 55.
ReplyDeleteMine is here
this was d best thing i read in a loong time !! missed writing anything coz of work but was lovely visiting you :) merry xmas !!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you from the chilis and I. We are wishing warm thoughts for you. :)
ReplyDelete--snow
Love memories, I know, this home is where the heart is!! and enjoy the life, send you warm greetings and huggs now and for Christmas, gloria
ReplyDeletei can imagine you well understand. very poignantly expressed. i hope many happy memories keep you warm this christmas and new happy ones are added.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by Galen hope you have a great Christmas and many many more. I will leave a Christmas flash 455 afraid if I stop I'll get out of the habit of writing one every Friday. \
ReplyDeleteOwe by the way nice picture on your profile. Later dude and as you would say have a kick ass weekend.
larry
Hi Galen! Wanted to wish you and your loved ones a blessed, peaceful, and merry Christmas! Love, Petra xo
ReplyDeleteI found your FF55 via Brian Miller. I will post my first attempt on Tues. I know, Tues is not Fri but I only do two posts a week on tues and thurs.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know that I like your idea and your post was heartwarming and enlightening.
Happy Holidays.
nice ronda's in the mix!
ReplyDelete