Mormor sat on the porch. The seat Morfar had occupied was vacant. Lillian didn’t remember her grandfather but in her imagination Mormor’s hands intertwined with his, her eyes fluttering and hearts racing. As time past, their hands still held, the glances were loving and hearts beat in happy unison. “Can I join you Mormor?” Her grandmother patted the seat and Lilian sat. She told her about her day at school and the stick insect she’d found on the way home.
“Who you talking to Lilian?” Her mother broke the easy rapport.
“Mormor.”
“Lillian love, she died twelve years ago.”
In response to Charli’s prompt where she asks:
November 2, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story a chair on a porch. Why is it there, and what might it mean? Think about using it as a prop or the main thrust of your story.
Respond by November 7, 2017 to be included in the compilation (published November 8). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
A beautiful story, Irene.
My grandson tells me he talks to his grandfather – my dad – all the time. My grandson is now 12 and his grandfather died almost 9 years ago. He also says that he misses him. Kids have a different understanding. You captured it here.
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That is lovely Sharon. The relationship between old and young can be so deep and complex. I’m glad your Dad had that with his ?great grandson. Thank you.
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Yes, sorry, it was his great-grandfather. He’s my grandson.
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That is alright. I knew who you meant.
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A delightful piece of flash fiction, Irene.
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Thanks Robbie.
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You are writing so well, Irene 🙂
Did you ever learn Danish? Mormor and Morfar are Danish words.
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You have no idea how happy your comment made me Irene. Thank you. I have Swedish connections and stayed with families when I visited Sweden in the 90s. I tried to learn a bit of the language before going but have only the odd word here and there left. Mormor and Morfar may be universal through Scandinavia.
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I’m glad to be able to help you, Irene.
The words are not universal in Scandinavia, but almost equal for Denmark and Sweden.
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😄
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A memorable and exceptional chat on the porch.
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Thank you Frank.
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I enjoyed this story… I believe that sometimes children do have a a connection with those who have gone before. Some traditions, though few, encourage that kind of communication. But as the world becomes so full of electric machines I think like intuition connection to different (some might say impossible realms) exist.
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I think with the electric machines there is less communication between everyone. Here there is a lovely program where school kids go to old peoples homes and are allocated a grandparent which they visit once a week. The old learn from the young and the young learn from the old and it is proving hugely beneficial to all. In fact I certainly could do with some young people to keep me up to date with things. Lovely when connections are made that continue past death.
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There are programs here too…elder and young. I remember a co-worker telling me that she didn’t have family close so she took her children to a nursing home to teach them about elder people.
I think somewhere it was tried to have a day care in an elder community so the elder could ‘volunteer’ when they wanted to.
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What a wonderful idea with the child care. I can see that being so beneficial to both sides plus helping out parents who struggle to afford day care.
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Unfortunately not to many exist as both worry about spreading germs and disease to both the young and old. But I think that with the proper health screenings that the programs benefits would out weigh the negatives. Like the older volunteers who cradle preemie babies in hospitals.
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Always health and safety issues raise their head. Its a wonder any of us survived our childhood. Hope they can overcome the negatives because it sounds like a great idea.
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What a lovely picture your story paints, Irene. 🙂
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Glad you could see it Wendy.
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Some connections go beyond space and time. I agree that children just might have a connection to those who have left this world before us. It’s remarkable and beautiful.
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Yes I think some connections between children and other people aren’t understood. Thank you.
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The easy exchange between the generations doesn’t always end. I like how you wove grandparents into the scene which led the reader to believe there might be only one ghostly encounter.
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Thanks Charlie. To tell you the truth Charlie I had no idea where this was going as I wrote until I too was surprised Grandma was dead.
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Isn’t it wonderful when the story surprises the writer?
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Absolutely. It has happened a few times of late and it is as though the character takes over the pen and you happily relinquish control.
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That’s a phenomenon I’d like to explore more. It fascinates me. And I love it when it happens.
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This is a very comforting post, Irene. Who’s to say what’s real. Mormor may be gone, but she still lives in Lillian’s heart.
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So true Norah. And I’m sure it is real to Lillian as it is to many of us who have lost loved ones.
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I agree. 🙂
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