I discover a letter from days gone by. Images of Grandad flash before me - marathons, bible readings, games of chess, crossword puzzles, the fear of a nudge from his stick.
Tears flow as I realise why he kept many secrets from me. Stories of parachute jumps, friends lost, the cruelty of war.
A man misunderstood.
BACKGROUND INFO
A copy of a letter to a publisher was given to me after my Grandfather's death.
He was asked to submit to a book regarding his experiences during the War. Unfortunately, the family members I have spoken to have no idea if the letter was ever sent. I hope Grandad won't mind me sharing the letter with you. I would rather post it here than leave it sitting in a draw somewhere. It's rather long and hard to read in places so I'll begin typing it up now and post in a couple of days.
Love you Grandad. I wish I had know you better.
xxxxxxxxxx
Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss - If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
Friday, 28 November 2008
Saturday, 22 November 2008
GRATEFUL
This week the prompt from Sunday Scribblings is - GRATEFUL
Grandma's cuddles
Freshly baked bread
Fairytale stories
Tucked up in bed
First true love
Joy holding hands
Sitting on benches
Making big plans
Family and children
Glowing with pride
Tiredness and sacrifice
Pushed to the side
Woman full grown
My time to shine
The simple life
Suits me just fine
Grandma's cuddles
Freshly baked bread
Fairytale stories
Tucked up in bed
First true love
Joy holding hands
Sitting on benches
Making big plans
Family and children
Glowing with pride
Tiredness and sacrifice
Pushed to the side
Woman full grown
My time to shine
The simple life
Suits me just fine
Friday, 21 November 2008
THE STRANGER
This week's prompt for Sunday Scribblings isn't up yet so I'm going to try the prompt from last week - Stranger
It's a welcome change to have the pool area to myself. Ah, the perfect afternoon. After dangling my feet in the pool, sunning myself on the deck, enjoying a cold beer and a sandwich, I'm ready for an afternoon nap.
A shadow passes by, stirring me from peaceful slumber. I'm annoyed by this disruption to my solitude. From beneath my shades, I check out this intruder. He is a STRANGER to me but man would I like to know him better.
While feigning sleep, I watch him settle himself by the pool. He removes his watch and kicks off his shoes. I watch entranced as his long fingers unbutton his shirt. He is tall and lean. I imagine running my fingers through the hairs on his chest.
He opens a magazine and chuckles at the images before him. Unaware of my glances, he gently strokes his chin which appears to comfort him as he reads on. I imagine how the stubble on his face would feel against my body.
I stretch and yawn to attract his attention. I look over and he grins for ear to ear. My heart melts. He stands and runs into the arms of his lover...an equally attractive man. Bloody typical!
It's a welcome change to have the pool area to myself. Ah, the perfect afternoon. After dangling my feet in the pool, sunning myself on the deck, enjoying a cold beer and a sandwich, I'm ready for an afternoon nap.
A shadow passes by, stirring me from peaceful slumber. I'm annoyed by this disruption to my solitude. From beneath my shades, I check out this intruder. He is a STRANGER to me but man would I like to know him better.
While feigning sleep, I watch him settle himself by the pool. He removes his watch and kicks off his shoes. I watch entranced as his long fingers unbutton his shirt. He is tall and lean. I imagine running my fingers through the hairs on his chest.
He opens a magazine and chuckles at the images before him. Unaware of my glances, he gently strokes his chin which appears to comfort him as he reads on. I imagine how the stubble on his face would feel against my body.
I stretch and yawn to attract his attention. I look over and he grins for ear to ear. My heart melts. He stands and runs into the arms of his lover...an equally attractive man. Bloody typical!
FLASH 55 - SUMMER ESCAPE
She closes her eyes. The smell of seaweed fills her nostrils, gentle waves lap against her feet, she tastes salt as she moistens her lips and feels the sun warming her golden skin.
She's never felt so alive. Salty tears return to the ocean as she let's go of life and surrenders to the sea.
Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss - If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx
She's never felt so alive. Salty tears return to the ocean as she let's go of life and surrenders to the sea.
Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss - If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx
Saturday, 8 November 2008
ELECTION DAY
This week's prompt from Sunday Scribblings is CHANGE.
It's Election Day in New Zealand. Our current Prime Minister - Helen Clark, has been in charge for 9 years and I believe a CHANGE is well overdue.
As I ponder my choices today I see the usual suspects: Labour, National, Alliance, Green, Act. There's a couple I've never noticed before too: The Bill and Ben Party and The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. The mind boggles.
Helen's party offers an interest free student loan. The students I have talked to will be voting for the Labour Party for this very reason. It's a smart move for Labour as New Zealanders rarely change their voting choice and these kids will continue to vote for them in the future.
I believe this is one of the major problems with the NZ voting style. We have the 'she'll be right' and 'it's better the devil you know' mentality rather than considering how a change may benefit our country.
Righto, I'm off to tick the boxes. I feel a CHANGE is in the air. Here's hoping my vote will make a difference.
Have a great weekend.
It's Election Day in New Zealand. Our current Prime Minister - Helen Clark, has been in charge for 9 years and I believe a CHANGE is well overdue.
As I ponder my choices today I see the usual suspects: Labour, National, Alliance, Green, Act. There's a couple I've never noticed before too: The Bill and Ben Party and The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. The mind boggles.
Helen's party offers an interest free student loan. The students I have talked to will be voting for the Labour Party for this very reason. It's a smart move for Labour as New Zealanders rarely change their voting choice and these kids will continue to vote for them in the future.
I believe this is one of the major problems with the NZ voting style. We have the 'she'll be right' and 'it's better the devil you know' mentality rather than considering how a change may benefit our country.
Righto, I'm off to tick the boxes. I feel a CHANGE is in the air. Here's hoping my vote will make a difference.
Have a great weekend.
FLASH 55 - A DOG'S LIFE
I watch her soundly sleeping. She wastes the day away. The hardest decision before her - should she chew her bone or play?
She enjoys simple pleasures. The fact her life will end some day a reality she never has to ponder.
I imagine trading places...the concept of butt sniffing snaps me back to reality.
Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss - If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
THE WEEK THAT WAS - PART THREE
ASK YOURSELF BETTER QUESTIONS
Hubby and I are listening to a very informative personal development programme. Before you all cringe, it's actually interesting and I've learned a lot.
One of the assignments was to write down some common questions we ask ourselves on a regular basis. Some of the examples were:
Why does this always happen to me?
Why am I in a relationship that doesn't work?
Why did I do something so stupid?
The mind is a powerful tool. If you ask the above questions, your mind will search for the answers and focus on all the reasons...these things always happen to you, why your relationship doesn't work and why you are stupid.
Consider asking yourself better questions. Here are some I came up with:
How can I design a better life for myself and my loved ones and enjoy the process?
What can I learn from my relationships so I don't make the same mistakes again?
What's amusing about this situation and how can I learn from it?
Give it a try. Changing the questions you ask yourself really does take your focus in another direction.
I have to dash off now but I'll be back.
Love y'all
XXXX
Hubby and I are listening to a very informative personal development programme. Before you all cringe, it's actually interesting and I've learned a lot.
One of the assignments was to write down some common questions we ask ourselves on a regular basis. Some of the examples were:
Why does this always happen to me?
Why am I in a relationship that doesn't work?
Why did I do something so stupid?
The mind is a powerful tool. If you ask the above questions, your mind will search for the answers and focus on all the reasons...these things always happen to you, why your relationship doesn't work and why you are stupid.
Consider asking yourself better questions. Here are some I came up with:
How can I design a better life for myself and my loved ones and enjoy the process?
What can I learn from my relationships so I don't make the same mistakes again?
What's amusing about this situation and how can I learn from it?
Give it a try. Changing the questions you ask yourself really does take your focus in another direction.
I have to dash off now but I'll be back.
Love y'all
XXXX
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