Inside the Mind of Isadora

Friday Fictioneers – A Small Stone

by 38 Comments

He stood at the door of 28909 Rue de Jardin. Memories flooded his mind. He’d never imagined seeing this house again.

Why had his father left it to him?

They hadn’t spoken in forty years. He was ten. His mother had divorced him immediately after she discovered his affair. Her broken heart finally erased by her suicide.

Sitting with Clarice, the now 90 year old mistress, in the large windowed parlor he remembered the park view from his bedroom. The wounds still felt razor deep.

He placed a stone on the gravestone; softly murmuring, “Ikh bin dir mühl. Hasholem Aaron Steinman”.

2017©Isadora DeLaVega

 

Genre: Flash Fiction
Word Count: 101 words
Photo Prompt: Janet Webb

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
to join in click here

~~~~~

*****I forgive you in Yiddish – ikh bin dir mühl

*****Rest in Peace in Yiddish – hasholem

***** Within the Jewish faith, it is customary to leave a small stone on a grave. Placing the stone on a grave serves as a sign to others that someone has visited the grave. It also enables visitors to partake in the mitzvah tradition commemorating the burial of the deceased. Stones are a fitting symbol of the lasting presence of the departed life. info©shiva.com

Author: Inside the Mind of Isadora

Intriguing, sensitive, mysterious, loving, artistic and crackling with excitement for life is a pretty good description of who I am. I just retired from the world of art where I sold my Artfully Designed Handmade Jewelry for 28 years; although, art will always be a part of who I am no matter what venue I choose to express it in.

38 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – A Small Stone”

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  1. Dale
    July 18, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    So many years wasted…. So beautifully told, Isadora 💗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. patriciaruthsusan
    July 18, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    How wonderful he could forgive. A lovely story and good writing, Isadora. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Sandra
    July 18, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Forgiveness can be so liberating. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. subroto
    July 17, 2017 at 3:12 am

    Never too late to forgive than carry the hate forward. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Lucid Gypsy
    July 15, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    I looked up the words and then saw that you’d put the translation ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      July 16, 2017 at 2:04 am

      So sorry, Gilly. I’ll add the explanations closer to the story next time. I didn’t think many people would know what the words meant.
      Growing up in a jewish neighborhood, I learned some of their customs from my playmates. This was one of the traditions.
      Have a peaceful Sunday.
      Issy 😎

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      Reply
  8. liz young
    July 15, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    A divorce affects the children more than their parents realise. What a shame he couldn’t forgive his father in his lifetime. Historia muy buena.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      July 16, 2017 at 3:04 am

      One wonders if staying together with someone would hurt children too. I suppose it’s best to keep the details from the children.
      They’re questions that only the two people can address. It must be complicated. I’ve been married for 52 years (this August).
      I have no experience in all of this. My imagiantion does take me to places when I write. It’s how I came up with the story.
      Thank you for feeling the words. Muchas Gracias 😍
      Isadora 😎

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      Reply
  10. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover
    July 14, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    Very touching story. I loved that he forgave his father.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      July 15, 2017 at 1:49 am

      It may have been a bit late for his father to know but for him it was a step forward.
      We can’t carry things like that in the present as they can hold us back from the joys of the present.
      I’m pleased you found my story touching. Thank you …
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Alicia Jamtaas
    July 14, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    There is a mournful, yet peaceful feeling to your story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      July 15, 2017 at 1:53 am

      In order for him to move forward he needed to, in some way, forgive his father. Carrying that pain further would have never allowed him to be happy in the present. A bit late for the father to know but his mothers suicide created a bitterness that was beyond forgiveness. Perhaps, now, he is in peace too. Thank you, Alicia, for enjoying where I took the photo prompt. Alawys a pleasure to see you comments.
      Izzy 😎

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      Reply
  12. rochellewisoff
    July 14, 2017 at 11:17 am

    Querida Isadora,

    Esto tocó mi corazón. Buen escrito. Hermoso cuento.
    This past memorial day we went to the Jewish cemetery and laid stones on my parents’ and grandparents’ graves. I’d never done that before.
    I recently wrote a story about the tradition since my next book (coffee-table art book) will be called A Stone or the Journey. I shared this story on What Pegman Saw…like I need another prompt challenge, right? (Like a lokh in kop- a hole in the head. 😉 ) https://rochellewisoff.com/2017/05/29/a-stone-for-the-journey/
    Again. Wonderful story.

    Shalom y abrazos,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      July 14, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Queirda Rochelle,
      Parablas muy bellas para mi obra. Gracias ❤️
      My Jewish friend had just mentioned to me that she went to her fathers grave for memorial day and placed a stone.
      As a child, I remember my young jewish girl friend, Rifka, (ugh… forgot the spelling) crying about her grandmother. She told we had to find a pretty stone for her. In the concrete jungle…???!!! We did in her backyard. A lot of coincidences for the small stone tradition. Good vibes back and forth bringing the same thoughts.
      I’ve wanted to participate in other writing challenges but I don’t need another a lokh in kop. ~~~~ : – ) I barely can keep up with what I do. : O Lots of fun people in these writing groups.
      I’m off to read your story. Gracias … que pases un buen fin de semana con su amable familia.
      Abrazos y Shalom,
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Iain Kelly
    July 14, 2017 at 8:09 am

    Touching story of forgiveness. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. neilmacdon
    July 14, 2017 at 7:55 am

    He should really have left the house to his mistress

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      July 15, 2017 at 2:24 am

      I think becasue the mistress was in her 90’s the father must have felt it was best to leave it to the son. OR … perhaps, he wanted to make amends to his son who had to live with the depressive heartache the mother had from the affair … AND … lest we forget she DID committ suicide. There are no winners in this one. Perhaps, it’s best to leave the whole story to 100 words. 😳 😊 Thanks for the dialog, visit and comment, Neil.
      Isadora 😎

      Like

      Reply
  16. Laurie Bell
    July 14, 2017 at 7:22 am

    A sad story, you captured the emotions well

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Moon
    July 14, 2017 at 6:47 am

    Such a sad tale, nicely written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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