A fitting Sendoff: Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

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Brian had volunteered at the local surf club his entire life. His marriage to Joy was on the beach followed by a reception in the clubhouse. Each of his children conceived after nights which followed long days keeping the surfers safe. It was only fitting that Bruce’s ashes be scattered in the ocean he loved so dearly.

The surfer’s paddle-out ceremony started the day. Surfer’s formed their ring, holding hands, wreaths held between their teeth or around their necks while friends gathered in a silent vigil on the beach. Joy, snuggly fitted in an outrigger bobbed in the centre of the circle holding Brian’s ashes in her hands. 

Memories flew between the paddlers and favourite stories took on a new dimension. Only one prayer was offered. Brian wasn’t a religious man. The time came and Joy scattered the ashes just as a gust of wind sprang from nowhere blowing the ashes into the paddlers. Despite whispering everyone heard, “Shit. Brian always was in your face.” A lone dolphin surfaced, a broad smile on its face.

Thank you to Priceless Joy for hosting FFfAW and Goroyboy for providing the photo prompt.

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.
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13 Responses to A fitting Sendoff: Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

  1. Priceless Joy says:
    April 18, 2018 at 12:48 am

    Hahahaha! What a great ending! I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. shivamt25 says:
    April 18, 2018 at 5:36 am

    That ceremony is an amazing way to respect someone’s memories, especially someone like Brian here.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. EagleAye says:
    April 18, 2018 at 8:05 am

    That’s a beautiful ceremony. I loved and laughed the way it finished. So fitting, I think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. anuragbakhshi says:
    April 18, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    Such a befitting ceremony for someone who appears to be a supremely colorful and interesting character 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  5. Sharon Bonin-Pratt says:
    April 18, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    A perfect ending. We should all be so lucky to have such friends.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. goroyboy says:
    April 19, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    Fitting indeed. What a truly enticing tale 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Ellespeth says:
    April 23, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    😛 Now this is funny and so well written. I can feel myself there.
    Ellespeth

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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