Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Flash Fiction with Romance Writers Weekly



It's time for the RWW Tuesday weekly blog hop! Hopefully, you found your way from Author Sarah Hegger's blog http://sarahhegger.com/sarah-hegger. This week, Author Mishka Jenkins https://awriterslifeformeblog.wordpress.com/challenged us to write a 400-word flash fiction love letter with these three words: Sweet, pumpkin and brush. Be sure to check fellow RWW writers' blogs. Many went the humorous route, but I get sentimental around the holidays. Here's my offering:

Dear Grandma,

I miss you. We were incredibly close and I spent most of my childhood weekends with you and Grandpa, but I wish I could have more of your time. I’d give anything to see you again. I'd love to brush your hair and hear your sweet voice.

When I was a child, I remember the times you said, "Move over fat lady" when I purposely slept on the edge of the bed just to hear those words. Again and again. I giggled every time like it was the first time. I loved how you called me (and your other grandchildren) "Sugar Plum." You were the most unselfish, patient person I've ever met.

I remember many weekends when you tied a rope to the door and held the other end for an hour straight while I jumped endlessly. Never once did you complain or say your arm hurt. You made me feel all grown up when you took me to your hairdresser to get my hair done. I fondly remember when you and Grandpa would drive in the wee hours to arrive at our home by 5 a.m.  on Christmas morning so you’d be there to see our happy expressions. I loved going to the Five and Dime and getting an armload of comic books once a month. That was a thrill thanks to Archie, Veronica, and YOU.

When I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia as a teen, it bothered you, so you learned how to make a delicious sugar-free pumpkin pie. Banana nut bread, too. I remember you brought it still warm in the baggy with a paper towel on top to absorb the moisture. You worked hard as a cook at hospitals, schools, and later as the head cook at a senior citizen center. You made everything from scratch, which is unheard of today. You said the two most popular days were fried chicken day and meatloaf day and recalled people lined up around the block. I’m not surprised. Your fried chicken was the best I’ve ever tasted. I wish I had your recipe. I wish even more that I had you.

If every woman were half the Grandma you were, the world would be a happier place. Thank you for the life lessons you taught me. Thank you for not being afraid and holding me when my sister and I had a horrible case of chicken pox. Thank you for letting us bang pans on the floor on New Year's Eve and never complaining about the noise or having to wash them afterward. Most of all, thank you for being the best grandmother ever. I wish we had had more time. I miss and love you.

Love,

Sugar Plum xoxo 

So, I went over by 53 words. Also, Grandma's fave color, by far, was PINK. This is the closest I could get to pink while still being readable. Tell me about your grandma, then head over to author J.J. Devine http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com/ramblings-of-a-writer

14 comments:

  1. What an incredibly emotional letter, really lovely :)

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    1. Thanks, Sarah. I posted on yours but it always says I haven't signed in. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

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  3. The type of relationship every grandchild wishes they had with their grandparent.

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    1. I agree, Dani. Our grandchildren live many states over so we aren't the best role models, I'm afraid. But when we're together it's great.

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  4. Oh my gosh, I loved this. I was closer to my grandmother than my mother.

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    1. I was extremely close to my grandmother, too, Collette. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. I agree with Dani, every child wishes they had a relationship like yours with your gran. Lovely letter!

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  6. A love letter to a grandma. Absolutely delightful.

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  7. Oh, Beth, this reminded me of my own grandmothers. Thank you for the beautiful love letter.

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    1. Aren't grandmothers the best? I miss her so much. Thanks, J.J.

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