Thursday, September 23, 2010

A New Life Part V - in 55


Trembling and hissing to a halt
on a ridge overlooking a valley,
the entire family
stepped from the creaking,
road weary truck.
It was a vision the young girl
would carry with her to her dying day.
A scene so beautiful
and full of life
she had to ask herself -
"Am I was in heaven?"


This is a Friday Flash Fiction 55 hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 3F 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_________________________

When my mother's family travelled from Wyoming to Hood River, Oregon in the very early 1940's they were looking for opportunity. What they discovered was a land of such beauty that my mother thought this must be what heaven would look like. She had never seen a daffodil in bloom or valleys filled with the color and scent of apple, pear and cherry blossoms. This was the beginning of her new life.

I may add a story or two about her life as a child and teenager and her desire to bring herself up from the poverty in which she was raised. Thank you all for your visits during this brief five part series. It is only fitting I stop at five, don't you think?

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this series of yours, MM. The history, the vibrant descriptions of the life-changing events that brought her to this place... this is exquisite.

Brian Miller said...

monkey this was a great series...never seen a daffodil....i imagine she thought she was in heaven...sounds like there is more to this story...would love to hear it...nice 55.

G-Man said...

I've been there...,
It is indeed God's Country!
Excellent 55...
I hope that The Simeon Sensation has a Kick Ass Week-End....G

Rosaria Williams said...

you are putting down stories for your children and grands to appreciate! Oregon too, will appreciate the stories of families who settled the land.

Caty said...

I bet it was a beautiful view. Thanks for the stories. Loved the series :)

Me said...

Wow...to never have known apple blossoms or daffodils. It would seem like heaven, indeed!

Love the ongoing saga, and hope that there is more...in 55 or full prose, whatever works. Family history (mine, or anyone's!) always intrigues.

As for a fitting number of posts for the series, I think TWO sets of 5 would be more appropriate, don't you? :)
-C

Jannie Funster said...

Well, you could always stop at 55 installments. I'm sure she had many more adventures along the way.

Sounds like a very beautiful area of the country! Looking forward to seeing Oregon one day.

xo

Cloudia said...

what great legacy!




Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

Anonymous said...

This has been cool, seeing a bit of your family history.

PattiKen said...

I've loved this family picture of yours. I hope you do add more at some point.

Daliana Pacuraru said...

Have a great weekend!
So bad, my english is no so good to be part of your team!...but I come here with a lot of pleasure!
Best regards from Romania!
wind

Whitesnake said...

As I visit all of you it seems at this moment in time we are all thinking happy thoughts.....

OH KB........a happy dance!

MorningAJ said...

But I want another 50 episodes! It's been great travelling with your ancestors.

mrsnesbitt said...

Fantastic - yes more please!

Great 55 as ever!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

this is not the end as we know it.

Susannah said...

That is really beautiful. :-)

My 55

Hootin Anni said...

The scene she carried with her....it is indeed a piece of heaven!!!

"Pop...goes the weasel" is my link to my 55...just scroll down below the Halloween part. I do hope you can find time to visit with me! Have a super Friday, and a blessed weekend.

Gemma Wiseman said...

A beautiful story! I love how you capture a sense of wonder in flowers not seen before which translates as a sense of new hope!

the walking man said...

Odd how some people's stars say this is the place where you were born to be and those same stars tell another you can only pass through here because you do not see the smell of the wonder of a place/

Katherine said...

This certainly is a little slice of heaven on earth. So beautiful! How lovely it would be to take a stroll through those blossoming trees. Love this Monkey!

TALON said...

I love that these were based on a true life story. Beautiful!

Claudia said...

if these are cherry trees, blossoming on your pic, one could think easily to be in heaven..

Maude Lynn said...

I've really enjoyed this series. Beautifully written.

Deb said...

Awesome 55!

It sounds so magical and the picture you painted on this one was a sure masterpiece! :)

RNSANE said...

I think that five is far too soon to bring it to a close. If you want a break, I do hope you pick it up again sometime. I have enjoyed it very much.

Anonymous said...

And I thought it would be Iowa if it wasn't heaven. Loved your series!

Teresa

Bubba said...

There's always an interesting tale in your 55's. Well done!

signed...bkm said...

very nice 55 - beautiful family and Oregon....that is Heaven....bkm

anthonynorth said...

I was born and brought up in beautiful countryside. Never appreciated it as a kid. I left, not coming back for years. I'm now settled here, and when I first got back I had that feeling.
Excellently done.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful series my friend. I can just picture the country side :) How wonderful. Well done and have a great weekend :)

Anonymous said...

well... you could stop at 55, I suppose ;) - I have enjoyed this journey very much

Nessa said...

I agree that 55 parts would be the best way to go. That sure does look like heaven. I enjoyed these 5 parts. I could read more about it.

Unknown said...

That's what I thought when I first saw Oregon. I want more of the series too.

Unknown said...

That's what I thought when I first saw Oregon. I want more of the series too.

Susan at Stony River said...

What a great moment -- it must have been some trip. Love that photo too, and the 55!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

It is heaven indeed in sight.
very entertaining 55.
Thanks for the pleasant treat.

Janna said...

I especially love the first line: "Trembling and hissing to a halt."

And the picture is lovely!
I love the green grass and the snow on the mountain.
Very nice.

Thanks for doing Friday 55! :)

Mine's been posted here since last night, but it's taken me this long to visit and leave comments. Sorry about that.

Sheila said...

I've been reading, although not commenting, every week and i love the hope expressed in this part of the story. See you next week, can't wait to read the next part!

John (@bookdreamer) said...

Them bitter-sweet days Thanks for reading my Friday 55. Hope your week goes well

Akelamalu said...

What a sight that must have been for your mother - wonderful - and you capture the moment so well in your 55. :)

C.M. Jackson said...

how beautiful! the photo and the sentiments behind this story are so prescious--I would love to read more--why stop at 5? have a great weekend!

drybottomgirl said...

How beautiful. There's somthing magical with trees that bloom. What an interesting story of your mother, and I am going back to read the other parts. Thanks for sharing this part of your family....

Scott M. Frey said...

I love this 55, the photo... felt as if I were about to crawl out of the truck myself... what an interesting legacy you're capturing here.

hope said...

Well after you arrive in heaven, how COULD you go on? :)

I've LOVED this...thanks for sharing it!

Dianne said...

Love the photo, that is heaven for me! Sweet to "get into" your mother's head and the early life which created the woman you know now.

One Prayer Girl said...

I can visualize the breathtaking scene she saw as she stepped from the truck.

Beautiful 55.

My 160 is up.

PG

moondustwriter said...

Mt hood is always quite a site - what a place for a young girl to behold.
what a trip

Thanks for that 55

can't wait for 160


Moon impatience

Claudya Martinez said...

Perhaps there are pieces of heaven on Earth.

Marla said...

I could read 50 more.

Marla said...

I could read 50 more.